Evelyn M. Reeks

DEXTER - Evelyn M. Reeks, 85, passed away April 21, 2011, surrounded by her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters at a Bangor hospital. She was born June 22, 1925, in Dexter, a daughter of James and Nettie (Downs) Smith. Evelyn was employed at numerous woolen mills in the Dexter area and retired from Dexter Shoe Co. after 37 years. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Auxiliary and Daughters of Isabella at St. Anne's Catholic Church, where she was a communicant. She especially enjoyed gardening and her flowers. Being active outside brought her great joy, but her family was always her first priority and very important to her. Evelyn touched the hearts of many and will be remembered as a hard working, strong willed, determined individual who always was looking to help others and constantly put the needs of her family first. But most of all she will be remembered for her beautiful smile. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon and husband, Roland Ouellette, of Greenville; two granddaughters, Lorie and husband, Andre Hicks, of Westbrook and Wendy Ouellette of Portland; three great-grandchildren, Anthony and Isabella Hicks and Taydin Caletz-Ouellette; four brothers, Eugene and wife, Camilla Smith, Rusty and wife, Annette Smith, Jimmy Smith and John Smith; five sisters, Loraine Feliciani, Carol and husband, Reginald Lane, Gloria and husband, Merle Haskell, Pauline and husband, Leonard Downs, and Shirley Pooler; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Roland Dulac, in 1968; her second husband, Leonard Reeks; three brothers, Bob, Donald and Harold Smith; and three sisters, Josephine Bootley, Katherine Nichols and Frances Small. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Crosby & Neal, 61 Main St., Dexter. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Dexter, with the Rev. Kent Ouellette officiating. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.