ALBION- Ora P. Rand of Albion, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend died peacefully at the home of her son on September 20, 2025 at the age of 92.
Ora was born in Massachusetts and moved to Maine with her family at a very early age. She grew up on the family farm in Unity, attended local schools there through the 8th grade. Several years later she worked in Connecticut as a nanny before coming back to Maine where she was offered the opportunity to attend Thomas College in Waterville, “if she could keep up the work”. She exceeded expectations and graduated with a business degree. Later in life she went back to Thomas and took classes at night earning an associate’s degree in 1980.
In 1954, she met and soon married John Rand. They moved to Albion where she would spend the next 70 years of her life. She was the bookkeeper for John’s business, C. N. Chalmers, Inc., and later worked for several heavy equipment rental companies in the Waterville area doing counter work and accounts payable until her retirement. Following her retirement, Ora was an active volunteer for many years at Thayer Hospital in Waterville.
During the years that Ora’s children were growing up she was active in the local PTA, Cub Scouts, and the local church. She later became a member of the East Benton Christian Church. Her greatest joy was her family. To every member of the family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was “Ma”.
Ora is predeceased by her husband John Rand, her parents, Lillian and Harold Plumley, her brothers, Fred and Harold Plumley and sister Annie Intrieri. She is survived by her sister, Freda Plumley; her children, Vera and her partner Steve Magyar, and Clarence and his wife Kim; as well as her grandchildren Jake (Rebecca) Rand, Lee (Soletia) Rand, Neal (MacKenzie) Young, and Stephen (Amy) Young and great-grandchildren Anna, Kamran, Devan, Ryleigh, Tanner, Margaret, Justin, and Mya and several nieces and nephews.
At Ora’s request, there will be no funeral. A committal service will be held November 1, 2025 at the Whitaker Cemetery on the Benton Road in Albion at 2:00 p.m. A reception for family and friends will be held immediately following at the East Benton Christian Church.
Donations in Ora’s memory can be made to the East Benton Christian Church F/B/O the Lucas and Beckah Grudda Missionary Fund, 500 East Benton Road, Benton Me. 04901.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com