Gail Ann Guerette

WINTHROP – Gail Ann Guerette passed away at her home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, August 29, 2021. Gail was a faithful Catholic, mother, wife, friend, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and great-aunt, who was very involved in the lives of her family. She was born April 12, 1938, at her grandmother’s hospital in Winthrop to Waldo “Tink” and Lila (Gale) Lincoln. Her mother named her Gail Ann after reversing the name of her grandmother, Ann Gale.

Gail grew up in Wayne surrounded by lakes, fields, woods, and friends and family. When she was 9, her father bought a pig, a rooster, and some chickens. The rooster often attacked her when she would go to collect the eggs; consequently, she began carrying a baseball bat.

Gail attended the Wayne schools. Every day that she walked to school, her Nana Jen would stop her and ask her what kind of pie she wanted for lunch; Gail was certainly blessed. However, when Lila moved down South, Gail lived with her aunt, Attalie Hodson, and traveled by bus back and forth to school in Wayne; without a heater some of the winter trips were quite frigid.

Gail married Lawrence Guerette and together they lived in Winthrop and raised three children: Larry, Dick, and Julie. During those years she was very involved in the community and with her children’s activities. In the following years, they purchased the very successful Winthrop Fuel Company. While always being a dutifully mother, she found time to be with her wonderful friends with whom she enjoyed many social moments.

Gail began her 32 year legislative career in 1966 as a Senate Page in the 106th legislature. She worked on several state wide recounts for the Secretary of State’s Election Division. After serving on the Senate Staff, Gail created a service for lobbyist. She became the liaison between elected officials and over 100 registered lobbyist. When governors, senators, representatives, and any leadership members needed to see a lobbyist, they would call Gail to track them down immediately. Everyone under the Capitol Dome in Augusta knew Gail and knew she could make the contact that they required to keep Maine legislature moving. Gail developed personal relationships with Governors Reed, Curtis, Brennan, especially McKernan, King, and Baldacci. She was a very frequent visitor to the Blaine House where she was always welcomed. She loved entering through the back kitchen door entrance. Gail continued to stay in contact with many of her legislative friends well after her retirement. Her telephone was always her best friend.

In her later years, Gail met her extremely special companion of 35 years, Austin Rehfield. Together they traveled throughout the world, visiting many extraordinary sites and spectacular locations. Austin also introduced her to the world of Florida State University, especially, football. She attended many of their games with FSU Boosters and even got to meet Bobby Bowden, the national championship coach. They spent a lot of time splitting their time between Austin’s Florida house and his camp and her house in Winthrop.

Gail was predeceased by her parents, Waldo “Tink” and Lila Lincoln; grandson, Christopher Wicks; and long time friend, Billie Wing.

She is survived by her brother, Charles D. Lincoln and his wife, Linda, of Winthrop; her children Larry Guerette, of Nashua, N.H., Dick Guerette, and his wife, Sue, of Winthrop, and Julie Wicks and her husband, Wayne, of Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren Matthew Wicks, Douglas Guerette, Morgan Polky, and Bennett Guerette. Also, she has seven special great-grandchildren; as well as special nieces, Sarah Lincoln, (godchild) of Virginia, and Nadiah Sanchez, of Florida, Cindy Dunn and Diane Fitzpatrick, of Massachusetts, Mary Beth Baker, and many other nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winthrop at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11. Following the service, all are welcome to attend a reception at the Parish Hall. Due to COVID 19 precautions, the family kindly requests those in attendance wear masks at both the church and reception following.

The family would like to thank Jean Jennings and the hospice/palliative care team for its care and support; also, friends and caregivers Penny Snider and Colleen Messena; and lifetime friends Jackie Calcagni and Joanne Wing.

Arrangements are under the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at http://www.familyfirstfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gail’s memory may be made to the

Winthrop Historical Society,

P.O. Box 33,

Winthrop, ME 04364