AUGUSTA – Edna Irene Philbrick Laing, 90, formerly of Bangor, died June 1, 2007, with loving family by her side at her home. She was born Oct. 24, 1916, in Bangor, the daughter of Herbert Irven and Hattie M. (Doughty) Philbrick. Edna attended local Bangor schools and graduated from beautician school in 1943. She opened her own beauty shop in downtown Bangor, on Harlow Street, in 1943. She married Dr. Edmond T. Laing D.D.S., Oct. 16, 1946, and together they resided and raised their three children in Bangor. After marrying, Edna devoted her life to her husband and children, while running her hair salon business from her home on Congress Street. As a young woman growing up on a dairy farm in Kenduskeag, she learned the ethic of working hard and acquired many talents she carried into her adult life. She was accomplished at anything she wished to do. She was noted by her family and friends as a fabulous cook, especially her pies and desserts. She was a talented artist, seamstress, pet lover and avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables. Other hobbies included doing handwork; sewing, knitting and crocheting, playing her organ as she loved music and spoiling her family dogs. Both she and her husband enjoyed many happy times at the camp on Beech Hill Pond, and belonged to the Saturday Nighters, a group that often attended local Bangor dances. Edna was a parishioner of Hammond Street Congregational Church and a member of their ladies group, Sterns Circle. She also belonged to Eastern Star Grange and Patawa Club. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Albert, Lewis and Linwood. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Edmond T. Laing of Augusta; a son, Edmond L. Laing and his wife, Joyce, of South Portland; a daughter, Paula Anastasio and her husband, John, of Augusta; a daughter, Jean Littlefield of Corinna; a loving sister, Doris Barnes of Jamestown, Pa.; two special nieces, Judith Morgan of Brewer and Bonnie Allen of Glenburn; three special young people who came into Edna’s life in her later years, Meagan, Brian and Ella; other cousins, nieces and nephews in Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Edna’s family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and Health Reach Hospice and Volunteers of Kennebec Valley, who made her final time on this earth comfortable. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Marion Hopkins, Sabbatical Pastor of Hammond Street Congregational Church, officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to call 10 a.m. until time of service Wednesday. Committal prayers will be after at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor, after the service. Memorial donations may be made to Health Reach Hospice and Volunteers of Kennebec Valley, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903-0828 or a local animal shelter of your choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
EDNA IRENE PHILBRICK LAING
