WATERVILLE – Mary Margaret Cyr (Gill) Gower passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023 after a short illness. Mary was born at home in Fairfield on June 21, 1936 to Mabel Cecile Galarneau and Lawrence Henry Cyr.

Mary attended schools in Fairfield and Benton. She married Carl Alton Gill on Oct. 17, 1953. She worked many places in Waterville at the Steam Laundry, McLellan’s, The Elms Restaurant, and as a waitress in Farmington. In later years she worked at Pleasant Hill Nursing Home and HealthCare Agencies as a Personal Care Attendant, and finally, caring for elderly people in their homes, retiring on Oct. 17, 1997.

Mary began quilting after she retired, gifting family and friends with those quilts, which are cherished. She was a lover of photos and memories, and liked to keep her mind sharp by doing word-find and jigsaw puzzles. Mary also loved to cook, and was well known for sharing those meals and goodies with family, friends and neighbors. In her younger days, Mary loved to dance! Most recently she was remembering her joy as a child running in the strawberry fields out on the farm.

Mary was predeceased by her parents; baby son Boyd Quentin, baby daughter Marianne Rose, sons Alton and Vincent Gill; sisters Florence Cyr, Gloria Grenier, Dorothy (Susie) Landwehr and Julia Fortin, brothers Lawrence Jr. and Richard Cyr; first husband Carl Gill, second husband Stanley Gower, life-partner and father of three sons, Herbert Gilley; sisters-in-law Vina Birchall and Eda Wilson, brother-in-law Ronald Wilson; and special niece Debbie Williams.

Mary is survived by sons, David W. Gill and partner Anne, Francis A. Gill, Ronald H. Gill and partner Pat Alonzo, Terence D. Gill, stepson Larry Palow, and daughters-in-law Barbara Livingstone and Eileen Gill. Also remaining in-laws Paul Wilson, Maynard Wilson, Gloria White, and Marjorie Wilson; beloved granddaughters Selena Gill, Autumn Grace Gill Murtagh and Alisa Gill, along with grandchildren Justin, Karl, Raymond, Heather, Chantelle, Veronica, Missy, Brad, Abel, Micah; and great-grandson Anthony, besides many more great-grands.

Mary wished for nieces Carol Cummings and Susan Boynton to be especially mentioned, along with additional nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind treasured friends Debbie, Lu, Helen, Chris, Greta, and many other dear pals. Mary will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

All are welcome to attend the graveside remembrance for Mary at Maplewood Cemetery in Fairfield on June 10, 2023 at 11 a.m.

If you would like to honor Mary’s memory, please consider a donation to:

an Animal Shelter or:

a Homeless Shelter or:

the Maine Children’s Home

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