EAST MILLINOCKET – Ann Marie McAvoy, 75, died peacefully Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 8, 1933, in East Millinocket, the daughter of Erwin and Clara O’Mara. Ann graduated from Husson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also received course credits for one year towards a nursing degree from Cornell University, New York. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her family. Ann Marie married Fenton Robert McAvoy, Oct. 13, 1956. They were married for 52 years. Ann was active in many civic organizations and belonged to Daughters of Isabella for many years. She was also a very proud member of the Red Hats Lady’s Society. Ann had been employed by Great Northern Paper Co., in the human resources department, where she retired in 1991. Ann and her husband had a winter home in Dunedin, Fla., where many wonderful years were spent just 10 minutes from the clear warm waters and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. She also cherished the many summers spent at their summer home on Ambejejus Lake in Maine, where she and Robert hosted a yearly family gathering at “the camp.” Everyone that knew Ann would agree that her sense of humor was infectious and she very quickly made friends everywhere out of complete strangers. She had many special friends in East Millinocket, especially Donna and Bunny, as well as some special friends in Dunedin, Fla. She was the best mom any son or daughter could want and the most loving and devoted life partner any husband could hope for. She will be greatly missed, but lives on in the hearts of her husband, her children, grandchildren and the many special friends who knew her. Surviving, in addition to her loving and devoted husband of East Millinocket, are one daughter, Julie Buerk and her husband, Paul, of East Hartford, Conn.; and four sons, Tom McAvoy and his wife, Elena, of Sand Point, Idaho, David McAvoy and his wife, Carlea, of Olympia, Wash., John McAvoy and his wife, Elaine, of Matawan, N.J., and Scott McAvoy and his wife, Catherine, of Austin, Texas. “Mema” has seven grandchildren, Tristan, Reazen, Derek, Justin, Elyse, Sidney and Seth. In addition to her parents, Ann was predeceased by her two sisters, Jacqueline Raymond and Stella Zanca; her brother, Patrick O’Mara; and her nephew, Ed Raymond Jr. Ann’s family was her pride and joy and her grandchildren loved their Mema. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Katahdin Nursing Home and Millinocket Regional Hospital for the wonderful and loving care given to Ann Marie. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Lamson Funeral Home, 17 Western Ave., East Millinocket, where a rosary service will be held 7:30 p.m. conducted by the officers and members of Daughters of Isabella, St. Ann’s Circle. A Christian funeral service will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 58 Cedar St., East Millinocket, with Deacon Danny Watson, presiding. Private interment will be at East Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Ann Marie may be sent to Daughters of Isabella, St. Ann’s Circle, 58 Cedar St., East Millinocket, ME 04430 or Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.