VERONA – Bernice (Abbott) “Bunny” Candage, 91, died peacefully Nov. 19, 2005, at a Blue Hill hospital. She was born Feb. 19, 1914, in Verona, the daughter of Manley H. and Eva M. (Patten) Abbott. Bunny’s life span included learning to drive a Model A Ford, walking across the Waldo-Hancock Bridge catwalk before its completion with her father, becoming an expert marksman with a rifle and pistol, a successful pastry cook with multiple businesses in Portland and Verona, and co-managing several grocery stores with her late husband, Robert. Bernice was proud of the many award winning quilts and afghans she made over the years and her indomitable spirit was evident in her insistence of learning to kayak at age 82. She is survived by two children with her first husband, Frank Russell, Donald Russell and wife, Mildred, of Verona, and Marian Kelley of Levant; two children with her second husband, Robert Candage, Robert Candage and companion, Owen Grozz, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Donna Violette and husband, Levi, of East Orland and Zephyrhills, Fla.; one step-daughter, Gloria Candage Turner and husband, Lloyd, of East Orland; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grand-children; nine great-great-grand-children; niece, Nadine Abbott Bowden of Stockton Springs. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Robert S. Candage of Verona and Sedgwick; brother, Linwood Abbott; sisters-in-law, Virginia Abbott and Pearl Chavaree; grandson, James Russell; a great-grandchild, son-in-law, Alan Kelley; a favorite aunt, Ina Patten Newton of California. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport, with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. Visitation will be 9 a.m until time of service. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery, Bucksport. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Bucksport Senior Citizens Club care of Myrtle Pendleton, P.O. Box 822, Bucksport, ME 04416.
BERNICE A. CANDAGE
