GORHAM- Maren Thalia “Bunnie” Andersen Washburn, 83, passed away unexpectedly at her home on September 11, 2026.
Bunnie was born on August 27, 1943, the oldest daughter of Roland and Alice Andersen. She was a graduate of Gorham High School.
Bunnie was predeceased by her daughter, Wanda Bailey Perrin; her grandson, Daniel Perrin; and her great-grandson, Ayden Smith.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Philip; her stepdaughter, Cara Washburn; her sister, Susan Brackett, and her husband, Russell; and her brothers, Dannie Andersen and his wife, Christine Gray, and David Andersen and his wife, Jeannette. She is also survived by her grandsons, Frankie Feeney and his wife, Melissa, and Sean Feeney and his fiancé, Meagan; eight great-grandchildren; and more nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members than could possibly be named.
Who Bunnie Really Was
As the oldest of four children, Bunnie was babysitting her younger siblings by the time she was 12 years old. That early experience of caregiving—and being in charge—set the stage for a lifetime of taking care of the people she loved.
Bunnie loved music and dancing and often sang solos in the church choir. Her siblings remember her as someone who was always in charge—or at least wanted to be—and she had no trouble letting you know when she wasn’t happy with something you did.
After graduating from high school, Bunnie was briefly married to Dick Bailey and welcomed her only child, Wanda Bailey, in 1963. In the winter of 1968, Bunnie’s Uncle Curt set her up on a date with one of his coworkers from the mill. That coworker was Phil, and the two were married the following year, beginning a marriage that would last 57 years.
Phil describes Bunnie as a wonderful homemaker who loved cooking and staying connected with her family. He also admits that “she used to give me hell sometimes,” especially when plans didn’t go quite the way she thought they should. Her Facebook page listed her occupation as “Domestic Engineer/Boss,” which comes as no surprise to anyone who knew her.
Bunnie also loved going to the casinos and usually managed to break even—which, as gambling goes, made her pretty lucky.
Above everything else, family was the center of Bunnie’s life. That included not only her immediate family but also her large extended family. She made a point of keeping everyone connected through regular phone calls, organizing “cousins’ lunch” get-togethers, and hosting an annual summer picnic for decades.
Caretaking—and, admittedly, a little bossing—was simply part of who Bunnie was. She once told her sister, long after they were grown, “I’m the oldest. I’m supposed to take care of you guys.”
And she did.
Although Bunnie had only one child of her own, she became a parental figure to her grandsons and great-grandchildren. Many of them spent periods of their lives living with Bunnie and Phil. Of course, if you lived under Bunnie’s roof, you lived by Bunnie’s rules—or else. But breaking those rules never meant losing her love. There was always another chance, and usually another one after that.
Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and extended family always knew that, no matter what happened in life, there was a safe place to land with Bunnie and Phil.
At one time, Bunnie had wanted to become a nurse, and that caregiving instinct never left her. She kept track of how everyone in the family was doing—health-wise and otherwise—and was a fierce advocate when it came to the medical care of Phil and her “kids.”
When it came to her own health, however, Bunnie was extremely private. Most of the family heard about her medical issues reluctantly and usually after the fact. That was Bunnie: She would figure out what needed to be done, handle it herself, and keep moving forward.
Bunnie spent her life looking after everyone else, keeping the family connected, making sure people had somewhere to go, and occasionally reminding them exactly how she thought things ought to be done.
Her unexpected passing leaves an enormous hole in the lives of those who loved her. The family gatherings, phone calls, lunches, summer picnics, advice, rules, laughter, and even the occasional bit of “hell” she gave will be deeply missed.
Most of all, her family will miss knowing that Bunnie was there—keeping track of everyone, taking care of everyone, and loving them through it all.
We will say our goodbyes to Bunnie on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with a graveside service at South Gorham Cemetery, Burnham Road, Gorham. All are welcome.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com