Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2015

In Memoriam • The names of the deceased below have been received by Thornton Academy since Postscripts was last published. We rely on friends and family to send us obituaries (especially for alumni who live outside of Maine) by mail or through a form on our website: thorntonacademy.org/stayintouch. 1936 Mary Grace Dawn in November 2014 1937 Marianne Holt Gillis in February 2015 1940 Margaret Fearon Donald in November 2014 1941 Margaret Ricker Curry in November 2014 1942 Thomas West in March 2014 1943 Joseph Regina in October 2014 1945 Marie Venetta Noke McLellan in June 2013 1948 Hebron Adams in December 2014 1948 Isabelle Kennedy Wendelken in December 2014 1949 Irene Vlahakos in February 2015 1949 Marshall Main in February 2015 1951 Carleton Pellerin in December 2014 1951 Josephine Chute Chase in October 2014 1953 John Bell in December 2014 1961 Robert Brown in October 2014 1962 Lawrence Sicard in October 2014 1964 Nena Strombom Murphy in November 2014 1970 Dennis William Gaines Sr. in February 2015 1971 James King Jr. in March 2014 1972 Gary Hoyt in October 2014 1972 Paul Ouellette in December 2014 1984 Melinda Simard January 2015 1985 Daniel Petrin in November 2014 1989 Timothy Browne in November 2014 1990 Daniel Garland in January 2015 1993 Peter Carter in October 2014 2007 Amber Strickland in January 2014 2007 Nicholle Lemelin in March 2015 Marianne Holt Gillis ‘37 Marianne Holt Gillis ‘37 passed away on February 24, 2015, surrounded by family and friends. Marianne and her family, including her parents, two sisters Marie and Virginia, as well as a grandfather, uncle, and sometimes an aunt all lived together in an 18-room farmhouse on Main Street in Saco. The Saco turnpike entrance marks the area of the stately home. Marianne was an accomplished violinist, playing for many weddings and funerals in the area. She worked for ten years as secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company on Main Street in mid-town Saco. In 1943, she married Army Pvt. Edward E. Gillis, who was later wounded in the war in France. She devoted her life to taking care of him and visiting him upon his admittance to nursing care. Marianne Gillis was a recipient of Maine’s 10th Annual Remember ME Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed by Governor LePage’s wife, Ann, in April 2012. The program, sponsored by the Maine Healthcare Association, seeks to “recognize the most pioneering, innovative, and interesting residents living in Maine’s long-term health facilities.” Gillis regularly kept Thornton Academy up-to-date on her activities and she enjoyed attending the Annual Senior Alumni Reunions held on Thornton’s campus each fall. She is fondly remembered as an 1811 Society Charter Member, joining when the group was formed over a decade ago. Her legacy will have a lasting impact on ensuring the school’s continued success. Thornton Academy receives numerous memorial donations each year recognizing members of the TA community who have passed away. Thank you to all who choose to remember loved ones in this way. If you would like to make a donation in honor of a loved one, please contact Kathryn Danylik-Lagasse at 207-602-4460 or visit thorntonacademy.org/give 29

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