PALERMO – Francina Gerrish Haskell, 82, of Western Ridge, passed away Aug. 19, 2007, at Inland Hospital after a brief illness. Fran was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Unity, the daughter of the late Charles “Frank” and Iva Mae (Burpee) Gerrish. She was raised in Oakfield and spent her adult life in Houlton and Palermo. She had an avid interest in anything that grew, from gardening to children. All who knew her enjoyed her home cooking and this eventually led to the opening of The Caboose Cafe on Western Ridge, Palermo. She was a 35-year member of the Malcolm Glidden Post of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her artistic and writing abilities were a pleasure to many. She enjoyed dancing at various functions, as well as watching her grandchildren participate in their sports and activities. She was, at the time of her death, working on her photo albums and her genealogy, both of which were of great interest to her and her offspring. Fran was predeceased by her first husband, Bernard L. Conlogue, in 1984; by her second husband, Clayton F. Haskell, in 1993; and her brothers, Ralph and Timothy Gerrish. Fran leaves behind her son, Robert Conlogue and his wife, Dorothy, of Palermo; her daughters, Judith Gilbert and her fianc?, Bill Monson, of Palermo, Patricia Dyer and her husband, Donald, of Albion, Jane Riggs and her husband, David, of Readfield and Kathleen Archer of Palermo. “Gram” lives in the memory of her 15 beloved grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She leaves behind her sisters, Madelene Bartol and husband, Jake, of Brewer and Jacqueline Gerrish of Palermo; and a brother, Frank “Bud” Gerrish and wife, Diana, of Naples. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, as well as countless friends she had made and kept throughout her life. A celebration of Fran’s life will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Palermo Christian Church. Since children were a special part of her life, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her name to the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, Inc., 654 State St., Bangor, ME, 04401-5649 or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine, 87 Elm St., Suite 203, Camden, ME 04843. Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Route 32, Windsor. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home website at www.plummerfh.com
FRANCINA GERRISH HASKELL
