Lois A. (Deering) Starbird

SOLON – Lois A. (Deering) Starbird, 97, passed away peacefully at Reddington Fairview General Hospital on Thursday, July 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Lois was born in Denmark on Sept. 23, 1927, the oldest daughter of Myrtie Ann (Bean) and Ralph Osro Deering. She grew up loving life on the family dairy farm. Lois attended the University of Maine at Orono with a major in Home Economics. While at the University, she met her future husband, Albert William Starbird to whom she was married 71 years.

Lois and Albert began their lives together in Solon where their oldest son was born. They moved to Connecticut, where their two daughters and youngest son were born. Later they moved to Dunstable, Mass., where she tended vegetable and flower gardens, many house plants, taught, and raised cows.

Lois was a teacher for 16 years in the Lowell, Mass. school system, mostly at the Greater Lowell Vocational Technical High School, for which she also was on the original building committee. While at the high school, she was the Cluster Chairman of multiple departments. She especially enjoyed the cooking classes and the children in the daycare.

Lois and Albert moved to Solon in 1987 where they built a beautiful retirement home. Lois was an active and respected member of the community. She participated in a Comprehensive Growth and Planning Committee, as well as helping to draft the town shoreland protection ordinances. Lois was passionate about teaching and helping people. She helped many people with their literacy, even teaching reading and writing at the Somerset County Jail. Lois was involved in Eastern Star, the snowmobiling club, and Somerset County Extension

Homemakers. She was on the Coolidge Library Board and was very involved in developing and maintaining the Town of Solon Historical Society house.

Lois was well loved for her humor, quick wit, and sassy personality. She enjoyed the outdoors and all wildlife. She was especially fond of her dogs and cats and spent endless hours gardening and reading. She enjoyed sewing and made a quilt for each of her grandchildren.

Lois was predeceased by her parents, Myrtie and Ralph Deering; her husband, Albert William Starbird; her sister, Merle (Deering) Castle, her brother, Mike (Myron) Deering; and a nephew, Danny Russell.

Lois is survived by her children, David and wife Cathie, Barbara, Karen, and Alan and wife Patti; grandchildren Jamie, Chris, Jeff, Laura, Doug and step-grandchildren Taia (Mecheau) Rioux and Tony Mecheau; along with six nephews, one niece; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the Redington Fairview General Hospital Special Care Unit for their kindness and expertise.

Visitation hours will be held July 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Somerset Valley Remembrance Center, 19 Washburn Lane, Skowhegan.

Funeral services are July 28, at 1 p.m. at the Solon Congregational Church, with interment immediately following at the Village Cemetery in Solon. A celebration of life will be held after the interment at Keystone Lodge, 9 Falls Rd., Solon.

Please visit Lois’ memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/lois-starbird-2025 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

The Nature Conservancy in Maine, or the

Solon Historical Society

P.O. Box 90

Solon, ME 04979