Lorraine D. "Lori Durden" Hands

Lorraine "Lori" D. (Durden) Hands, 57, passed only days after her birthday after a distressing battle with ALS. After a hard-fought life this illness was the only battle she couldn't fight, and in her own words it "kicked her ass" not for lack of trying though. She passed away surrounded by family and dear friends and was incredibly thankful to all who had helped to make her last days positive and full of love.

She was born and raised in California, though life took her on a journey that spanned the entire country until she landed in Maine. She had many interesting jobs throughout her life from being a skip-tracer to a flight attendant but none more important and fulfilling than being a mom to her daughters, Geneva, Elsie, and Dehlia. Though she felt like she wasn't a perfect mother all the time, she knew that there is no such thing and trying your best is all you can do. She was also a proud 'mumma' to her grandsons, Justice and Ilya.

Even at the end while in a nursing home dealing with her own immense struggles she still advocated for the other patients and nurses, though she struggled to speak she always knew the strength of her voice and tried hard to use it to better the world around her. She was a fierce fighter for her beliefs and wasn't afraid to tell anyone exactly how it is, she was pragmatic and thoughtful and beautiful.

Lori was predeceased by her mother, Lynn Durden; father, E. Owen Durden; brother, Tom Durden; sister, Sandra Stinton; and infant son, Gabriel Hands. She is survived by siblings, Jeff Durden, Bonnie DeVarco, Shari Greenleaf, Ellen Peters, and Tracy Durden; her children, Geneva Chambers, Elsie King, and Dehlia Hands; as well as grandsons, Justice Gerrish and Ilya Gerrish.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Lori would want you to put on something purple, laugh hard, and help someone in need.