WINSLOW – Freda (Gagnon) Grant, 81, of Winslow, Maine passed away on May 17, 2023, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, Maine, surrounded by family. She was born in a log cabin in Portage Lake, Maine on April 27, 1942, the daughter of Ronaldo Gagnon and Bertha (Fortin) Gagnon. She graduated from Winslow High School in 1959.

Freda worked in several positions over the course of her career, primarily as an insurance representative. Her employers included Boothby and Bartlett where she worked for over 20 years, Napoleon and Louie Marcou-Attorneys, the local telephone company, and the Wyandotte mill. After she retired in 2006, she worked part time at Thayer Hospital and volunteered in the gift shop.

Freda was predeceased by her parents Ronaldo and Bertha Gagnon, and her brother Reynold Gagnon.

She is survived by her children John Grant and his wife Ankeney Weitz of Waterville, her daughter Amy Grant of Winthrop, her sisters Linda Gagnon of Winslow and Ida McDonnell and her husband Michael of Portsmouth, N.H., her fiancé John Harris of Newcastle, Del., her grandson Casey Grant of Palmyra, grandson Miguel Schwiderke of Asheville, N.C., and granddaughter Lily Schwiderke of Lewiston.

Freda was recently reunited with her first love John Harris thanks to the magic of social media. He made her final years especially happy, beyond her wildest dreams. He was by her side right to the end.

Her incredible work ethic was something to see. Through it all, she was a fiercely devoted, protective, loving, generous, overly-doting mother. This she did by herself. If there was a Mt. Rushmore for single, working Moms …

She was a completely devoted parent, friend, and grandparent. Especially grandparent.

She was a constant support and guiding light to Casey F. Grant. They spent hours together at a time and she took a colossal number of telephone calls from him, more than she would ever dare admit to his parents. Casey’s mother Teena French also held a special place in her heart.

She also doted endlessly on her grandson Miguel Schwiderke, no matter how often he messed up her hair. Given that he towered over her by 16 inches, it was just too tempting to him. To see them together was a delight.

And her only granddaughter Lily Schwiderke, well forget about it. Lily was her favorite young lady by a country mile. Whenever Lily came to town, wild horses couldn’t keep her away.

She had a posse of loyal friends. We have been hearing from so many of them about her razor-sharp wit. Her sense of humor saw her and her loved ones through even the darkest of times. It has been said that humor is the healthiest and most effective coping mechanism that there is. She was proof of this.

Visiting hours will be at Gallant Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 30, from 2 to 4, and 6 to 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Freda’s name to:

Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England

219 East Main Street,

Suite 100B

Milford, MA 01757