Ethel J. Psomiades

Ethel J. Psomiades SOUTH PORTLAND -- Surrounded by loved ones, Ethel Jeanne Psomiades, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2009. She was born in Old Town on June 18, 1922, the first child of Alice Comeau LeBreton and J. Walter LeBreton Sr. She was a graduate of Old Town High School in the class of 1940. Ethel lived an active and fulfilling life, working in shoe mills in Old Town, then for Pepperell Manufacturing in Biddeford. She continued and active work life with insurance offices and as a realtor. On Dec. 7, 1956, she married Van T. Psomiades at St. Demetrios Church in Biddeford. They spent the next 30 years living in Saco and after retirement moved to Holiday, Fla., where they spent the next 20 years. During 17 years in Florida, Ethel worked as a substitute teacher in the primary grades. As a young woman she had hope to be a teacher and that dream was fulfilled when from ages 66 to 83 she was surrounded by her young charges who come into the classroom saying, 'I love you, Mrs. E.' It was music to her ears. She returned to South Portland in June of 2006 where she has resided until recent illness moved her to Falmouth by the Sea Nursing Home. Ethel is survived by two daughters, the Rev. Linda Kimball and her husband George of Rumford, Norma Doody and her husband John of South Portland; one sister, Louise Davis of Old Town, two brothers, George LeBreton and his wife Gerry of Bradley, and J. Walter LeBreton Jr. and his wife Aleta of Olamon; five grandchildren, Jean Kimball of Portland, Sean Doody and his wife Robin of Dover, N.H., Steven Kimball of Hampden, Susan Kimball of Holyoke, Mass., and Ned Doody of Portsmouth, N.H.; and three great-grandchildren, Megan and Lily Doody of Durham, N.H., and Parker Kimball of Hampden. She also leaves several nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; cousins, and one aunt, Margaret Thibeault of Saco. Predeceasing her were her husband of 52 years, Van Psomiades, on April 25, 2009; her parents; one sister, Edith Caldwell and one brother, Raymond LeBreton. We give our grateful thanks for the wonderful care our loved one received at Falmouth by the Sea and from Beacon Hospice. A memorial Mass to celebrate Ethel's life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m., at Holy Family Church, Main Street, Old Town. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Old Town. Arrangements are with Old Orchard Beach Funeral Home and Birmingham Funeral Home - Old Town. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Lung Association, Falmouth by the Sea or Beacon Hospice. Ethel J. Psomiades