Alice Lucile Abbott, 82, of Portland, Maine died peacefully on June 11, 2017 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, NH after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on August 22, 1934 to Lucile (Hobson) and Bonaparte Abbott. She had been a resident of Portland until needed care prompted a move to New Hampshire where she resided at Windham Terrace for the past fifteen months. Alice was a graduate of Deering High School (’52) and Keystone Junior College (’54). She had a career in Portland as a medical secretary in various physicians’ offices, retiring from Cardiovascular and Thoracic Associates in 1999.
Music played an important role in her life. Alice was a long-time member of the former Immanuel Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. A student of Kathryn Graffam, she played cello in high school and in Portland Junior Symphony Orchestra. She had been a member of the Royal River Chorus of Sweet Adelines International for over twenty years.
Alice enjoyed traveling with friends or a special cousin, Ethel Abbott of Oneida, NY and especially enjoyed family gatherings and many “sisters weekends” with her siblings. During retirement she volunteered at Longfellow School, at Maine Medical Center’s breast cancer support group calling on patients after their surgery, and as an usher for the Lyric Theatre. She served as treasurer of the Maplewood Cemetery Association for a number of years.
She is survived by three sisters: Ruth Schauer of Ft. Atkinson, WI, Nancy (Steve) Burton of Damariscotta, and Marjorie Palmer of Derry, NH. She leaves two special nieces, Andrea Schauer (Jeff Hamm) of Madison, WI, and Melissa Polk of Derry, NH; three nephews: David (Paula) Palmer of Concord, NH, Jonathan (Sara) Burton of No. Grafton, MA, and Andrew (Susan) Burton of No. Grafton, MA, and several cousins.
Following cremation, a graveside service was held at 12:00pm on Sunday July 2, 2017 at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 293 Beach St., Saco, ME. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry, NH assisted with arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Goff/Towle Scholarship Fund and mailed to Business Office, MSAD#6, Bonny Eagle Schools, 94 Main St, Buxton, ME 04093 or to a charity of one’s choice.