TOPSFIELD – Avis Eva Boyce Sussenguth, 81, died July 6, 2007, in Calais. She was born July 7, 1925, in Topsfield, the daughter of Reuel G. and Alma (Roix) Bean. Avis graduated from Lee Academy in 1942 and continued her education at Husson Normal School. Her first job was as a teacher in a small one-room schoolhouse in “Bingo.” Avis was very talented musically and loved to dance, and during the war, she used these talents to entertain troops for the USO. Also, during World War II she was an aircraft observer for the Civilian Defense Department. Avis mar-ried Norman Boyce and moved to Cape Elizabeth, where she was tragically widowed and moved back to Topsfield with her 11 month old son, John. Eight years later, she remarried to Charles Sussenguth and moved to Massachusetts, where Emma was born. After “Bud” was diagnosed with leukemia, Avis and her family moved back home and bought MacBean’s Country Market, Topsfield. After one year Bud passed away and Avis continued to operate the business for several years. Next, she was employed as the coordinator of the Washington-Hancock Community Agency, Machias, living in the coastal area for a number of years. Avis’ last job was working at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf in Southern Maine, and from there she retired, moving back to Topsfield. In Topsfield, she was a Charter Member of the Earl Severence Post No. 191 American Legion Auxilliary, serving several terms as president. Avis was also a member of the Eastern Star at Lewy’s Island Lodge, Princeton. She lived her love of music through-out her life, playing with the “Old Timers” and Lotty Geel and friends throughout Washington County. As long as she was able, Avis continued to share her music with her church and surrounding health care facilities. She will be remembered especially for her harmonica and spoon playing skills. Avis and her life-long friend and relative, Hazel Noyes, together, established the Food Pantry at the Topsfield Congregational Church, where she continued to serve beyond her physical ability to do so. Although Avis had many gifts and talents, her greatest attribute was her graceful fortitude and resilience to raise her two children successfully through the tragedy and despair of the loss of two husbands. As Avis was consistently there through the lives of her family, she went home surrounded by her family. Avis is survived by a son, John F. Boyce and his wife, Linda, of Lincoln; a daughter, Emma Jane (Sussenguth) Irish and her husband, Rickey, of Topsfield; grandchildren, Aaron J. Boyce and his wife, Cari and their children, Aaricka and Bay-lee; Jonelle F. Boyce Dem-mons and her husband, Wayne and their daughter, Jessica Jane; Samuel Charles and Thomas Charles Irish and Anthony Michel Poulin; a brother, Maurice B. Bean of Topsfield; in-laws, Marilyn Sussenguth, Myrtle Dean, Paul and Marie Sussenguth and Rose Bean; many nieces and nephews, who were loved dearly. She also leaves very dear friends, Hazel Noyes and Dr. Mary-Vesta Marston Scott. She was predeceased by her first husband, Norman V. Boyce; her second husband, Charles E. Sussenguth; and brothers and sisters, Philip G. Bean, Doris A. Bemis, Lewis Bean, Claire L. Webber, Wayne R. Bean, Ronald Bean and Dennis Bean. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and 11a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday at Topsfield Congregational Church. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Ellen Beairsto officiating. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to “Love from Above” ministries, care of Emma Jane Irish, 216 North Road, Topsfield, ME 04490. Arrangements with Clay Funeral Home-Bartlett Chapel, 24 Houlton Road, Danforth. For an online register book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
AVIS EVA BOYCE SUSSENGUTH
