Eileen M. Pomeroy

Eileen M. Pomeroy, 88 WINDHAM -- Eileen M. Pomeroy, 88, died peacefully Friday afternoon, Nov. 7, 2008, in the presence of her daughter and loving caregivers at Ledgewood Manor in Windham, where she had resided for the past five years. Born March 3, 1920, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the only child of Clifford and Isabelle Chambers Letzler. Her early childhood was spent in Lynn and Nahant, Mass., until the family moved to Buxton in 1933. She was a 1938 graduate of Buxton High School. While she did not continue with formal education, she was an avid reader and it was the one activity she continued to enjoy even as her physical ability declined due to Parkinson's Disease. Eileen was a single parent and working mother at a time when those roles were the exception rather than the rule. In her younger years, she worked for the telephone company, but most of her work years were spent waitressing at the Lafayette Hotel and the Eastland Hotel, as well as other Portland area restaurants. She briefly ran a small local takeout restaurant and worked at the former Willey's Rest Home in Saco. She loved people, loved to cook and was happiest when she could share meals and celebrations with family and friends. She loved the holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas and always did her best to make them special for her children. Eileen knew the value of laughter and that having fun was just as important as working hard at a given job. She enjoyed gardening and was especially fond of roses and hydrangeas. She was preceded in death by her son, David. Surviving her are two daughters, Helene Letzler and her husband Sidney Rodaway of Wellington, Ontario and Isabel Higgins and her husband Robert of Standish; and one grandson, David Higgins also of Standish. Mrs. Pomeroy's family wishes to thank Dr. Carl Schuler and the amazing staff of caregivers at Ledgewood Manor in Windham for their unwavering devotion and care. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at the Dolby and Dorr Funeral Chapel, 76 State St., Gorham. Interment in Flanders Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eileen's memory to: Baxter Memorial Library 71 South St. Gorham, Maine 04038 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ATTN.: Tribute Gifts Church St. Station P.O. Box 780 New York, New York 10008-0780 Eileen M. Pomeroy