AUGUSTA – Marilyn Jane Parkhurst Sirois was born July 9, 1932, at the Tinker Farm in Unity Maine. She was the daughter of Helen Ward Parkhurst and Harold Parkhurst. Marilyn passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, a result of diminishing health due to dementia

Marilyn worked for the State of Maine from 1963 to 1986 beginning at Stevens School in Hallowell and then for Health and Human Services Medically Needy Division. Mom made friends easily and was always the life of the party – usually planning the party! A thank you to Jane Connors for her friendship to Mom. They went on many fun lunches together!

Mom’s favorite holiday was Christmas and she always worked hard to make it special for each of us! She saved money through the year to buy something we really wanted! Mom spent lots of time decorating – loving the way it made the house look and smell. She was very particular about the tinsel on the tree – one strand at a time, please.

Mom got her childhood wish to live on the lake; the little place on Pleasant Pond with an outhouse, no electricity or running water; Damn Pond, Vassalboro with its beautiful sunsets and calling Loons; and then Three-Mile Pond, where they lived year-round. In all their homes, there was often Sunday Morning Pancake breakfasts or Sunday Evening spaghetti for all the kids and grands!

Over about 50 years – before and during retirement, they spent lots of time on the road in hospitals and doctors’ offices treating Dad’s cancer. This commitment to Dad’s health took on a life of its own and controlled their lives; Mom never complained – just did what they had to do.

Mom and Dad had 30 years of retirement together with that many winters in Florida! They did a few short cruises out of Port Canaveral. Bought a double-wide in Cocoa; and hosted Pancake Breakfasts in the Community Hall even after they sold and moved to Cape Canaveral! They met many people and had lasting friendships with many – like Anne and Jim Miedema of Ontario, Canada and Cocoa Beach, Florida. Also, hosting many family member vacations!

Marilyn is survived by: her Five Children and their Spouses: Deanne Lavallee and Russell Charette, Sidney; Michael and Sally Sirois, China; Janet and Steve Downes, Monmouth and Viera, Fla.; Margaret “Margie” and H. Lynn Scott, Melbourne, Fla.; David and Tamera “Tammy” Sirois, Farmingdale.

Ten Grandchildren: Karen and Greg Murphy, Gardiner; Vincent and Colleen Lavallee, Albany, N.Y.; Michelle and Benjamin King, West Gardiner; Holly and Brian Murray, Richmond: Alice Sirois and William Snowman, Richmond; Benjamin and Samantha Sirois, West Gardiner; James and Kelsea Downes, Anchorage, AK; Dylan Sirois, Augusta; Gabrielle Sirois, Augusta; Emma Sirois, Farmingdale. Ten Great-Grandchildren: Thomas, Oliver and Lillian “Lani” Murphy; Keira Lavallee, Arletta and Evelyn King; Paige and Ricky Reynolds; Parker Gagnon; Aiden and Aaron Downes. Two Great, Great Grandchildren: Elizabeth and Emilia Reynolds. Her Aunt Erma Ward Elwell, Benton. Siblings:Connie Barton-Barba and Edwin Barba, San Carlos, Calif.; Kathie Barton Chapman, West Gardiner; Patricia Parkhurst Schneyda; Richard and Janet Parkhurst, Readfield; Mona (Sirois) and Lucien Berube, Augusta. Many, many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends – Each so enjoyed Marilyn’s sense of humor, her jokes, and her laugh; Mom was always a Jolly Soul!

Marilyn was pre-deceased by her husband of 64 years, Clarence Sirois; Father Harold Parkhurst; Mother Helen Farrington; Stepfather Chet Farrington. Lorraine Parkhurst Rowe and Vern Rowe Jr.; Sandra Parkhurst Oakes. Harold Nashly Parkhurst; Richard Chapman, Sr., Alma (Thibodeau) and Henry Sirois; Corinne and Charles Gilbert; Constance and Laurier Pare; Theresa and Larry Lambert; Leo “Pete” and Maxine Sirois; Bertrand and Thelma Sirois; Angela and Lucien Labbe. Sons-in-law Colin Hubbard, Thom Lavallee.

As the saying goes – “It takes a village.” After our dad passed Sept. 17, 2016, Bertha Sirois continued to assist Marilyn with daily living and as her Friend. As long as Mom was able, Dave and Emma, took her to weekly Mass followed by breakfast. Regularly, Dylan and Gabi brought her a meal and a whiskey. During the winter months, Mike, Sally oversaw her needs; and along with Dave provided frequent visits. Mom’s Grandchildren often provided her assistance, rides, meals, gifts; she was truly blessed. Due to Covid, for a time, Mom moved to Janet’s and Steve’s home with help from Granddaughter Holly Murray and Margie Scott, our favorite R.N. Special appreciation and love to Janet and Steve for being the Front-Line – Caretaker, P.O.A., making and taking all the phone calls and doing all the paperwork – while holding Mom’s hand and feeding her pumpkin pie!

Marilyn’s Family Thanks the Staff at Woodlands Residences in Waterville and her last home at MaineGeneral Long-term Care at Glenridge for their family support and the extraordinary care of our Mother during such difficult times. The Staff’s care, compassion and dedication is appreciated beyond words.

Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 110 School Street, Gardiner.

Burial at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta, will be at a later date.

Pall Bearers: Gregory Murphy, Vincent Lavallee, Benjamin Sirois, Dylan Sirois, Gabrielle Sirois, Emma Sirois, Thomas Murphy and Oliver Murphy.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on our obituary page at : http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gardiner Food Pantry – Chrysalis Place, 576 Brunswick Avenue,

Gardiner, ME 04345.