Anna Marie Gerald

WINSLOW – The family of Anna Marie Gerald announce her passing on the morning of Feb. 24, 2024, after a brief illness. Anna passed peacefully at home on hospice care.

She was the youngest of five children born to Donald R. and Carlene M. (Ellis) Finnemore on Sept. 9, 1940, in Houlton. The family lived in Danforth and Hodgdon, before settling in Unity. She graduated from Unity High School in 1958 as one of 12 students and went on to attend Pierce Secretarial School in Boston, Mass.

Stephen L. Gerald took Anna to be his wife of Sept. 2, 1960, and she moved to Clinton. For 30 years they worked side by side at L.L. Gerald and Son and created a thriving business that served the community well. Together they retired and enjoyed their home (camp) on Unity Pond. Anna enjoyed ice fishing up to Moose Camp in Lily Bay, snowmobiling, cards with friends and family, and entertaining at the lake. She was involved with the Clinton Evening Extension, Town and Country Trailriders snowmobile club, and the Jaycee Wives.

Anna was an accomplished cook, which aided Steve in getting his projects done. Their son, Scott only had to put out the word that Anna was cooking an eye of the round, complete with fixings, and friends would come running. Before you knew it, a 10-yard loam pile was spread before the roast hit the table. Anna was amazed at how well Steve’s methods worked.

She quite often had plans and schemes for the camp, to which Steve would state, “that’s for you and your second husband to do.” Whether that was premonition or joking, the love of her life passed away in July of 1994.

Anna was blessed again to find another love in Richard Beale. They never married but they spent the next 25 years pursuing a different life; one filled with travelling extensively, enjoying auto racing, retirement, and above all, time spent with family. Unfortunately, Richard passed in 2019. Though Anna sorely missed Richard, she was blessed to have a large “Bonus Family” which encompassed Richard’s six children.

Anna was predeceased by her parents; husband, Stephen, partner, Richard; and bonus son, Robert Mark Beale. She was the last remaining sibling, having lost brothers Donald E. Finnemore Sr. and Lewis Finnemore as well as sister, Loralie Higgins and Marjorie Drake.

She is survived by her only son, Scott L. Gerald and his wife Michelle of Fairfield Center; her grandsons Blake L. Gerald and Alex S. Gerald; her great-grandsons Elliot and Jack Gerald; many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Barbara Finnemore. She is also survived by her bonus family, William (Mike) Beale, Laura Hatfield, Richard (Rick) Beale, Mailissa (Lisa) Cavanaugh, Mary Dowe, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren from clan Beale.

There will be an informal celebration of life with refreshments held Saturday March 23, at 1 p.m. In the Brown Memorial Methodist Church fellowship hall, 36 Church St. Clinton. An interment service at Greenlawn Rest Cemetery in Clinton will be announced at a later date.

Stephen often joked that behind every successful man there is a pushy broad, well that last push must have been substantial Dad, as it took Mum 30 years to catch up to you.

Please visit Anna’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/anna-gerald where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.