Frances Arlene Gordon

BINGHAM – Frances Arlene Gordon, 95, peacefully passed on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at her home in Bingham surrounded by her family. Mom spent her final days visiting with family and friends expressing her love and gratitude to all who touched her life. Mom will be remembered for her quirky sayings, her feisty, spicy attitude and being very set in her ways…her secret to living a long life!

Frances was born in Hallowell on Nov. 30, 1929, the daughter of the late Melvin and Ida (Lacasce) Heald. She attended schools in Hallowell during her early childhood years then moving to Bingham with her mom and stepdad, late Donald Andrews. She graduated from Bingham High School, class of 1949.

Frances married John H. Gordon, Jr. on Oct. 16, 1949, they purchased the old S.D. Warren firehouse on Rollins Street, refurbished it into our family home where they raised their four children and shared 56 years of marriage together until Dad’s passing on Nov. 14, 2005. A friend introduced Mom to a fella named Louis Collette over a cup of coffee at Thompson’s, well, they shared coffee together for the next 16 years until his death in February 2023.

Mom worked some, outside the home, but was primarily a homemaker, she was very crafty and talented at anything she attempted, very gifted at braiding rugs, spinning wool, knitting, crocheting, painting, stained glass just to name a few…mostly self taught. She shared many a year hunting with her husband, John, and beagle Sam. She enjoyed fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and foraging in the woods. She loved gardening, flowers, watching the birds and going on rides looking for wildlife. She passed this love of flora and fauna on to all of her children too. We are grateful, Mom.

She is survived by her children, Susan Cool and husband John of Madison, Barry Gordon and his wife Lori of Concord, Gretchen Audet and wife Lynn of Moscow, and Tracy Welch and husband Tom of Winslow; 10 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren; her black lab, Ebony; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at Somerset Primary care, especially her provider Nicolette Wallace, UKVAS, Redington Hospital Staff, ER and 2nd floor Maine General Hospice, and last, but not least, the outpouring of love and support given to this family by our friends and neighbors…we are truly blessed…thank you all!

AND IN THE END….SHE DID IT HER WAY

At her request there will be no visiting hours. There will be committal service on Saturday Sept. 13 at 1 p.m., at the Robinson Memorial Cemetery officiated by Rev. Mark Tanner. A gathering at her home immediately following the service at 13 Sidney St.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 40 Maple St., Madison, ME 04950. To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers,

it is Mom’s request that

donations be made to

Somerset Animal Shelter

123 Middle Rd.

P.O. Box 453

Skowhegan, ME 04976