CAMDEN – Irene Fitzsimmons Laite, 73, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, following a 13 year courageous battle with cancer. “Renie,” as she was affectionately known, was born Jan. 7, 1933, in Guilford, the daughter of John Miles and Vera Grover Applebee Fitzsimmons. The family moved to Camden in 1941 when John Fitzsimmons was involved with the construction of the Owl’s Head airport (Knox County Regional Airport). Renie attended Camden schools and graduated from Camden High School in the Class of 1951. She attended Mount Ida College, Newton, Mass. and following graduation, worked for American Airlines out of LaGuardia Airport, New York. In 1955 she married Parker Stone Laite Sr., also of the Class of 1951. They recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, Oct. 2. Renie and Parker were one of seven couples who married within their class. She was owner and manager of the Highland Park Apartment complex for these past 33 years, and had a special way of helping the elderly with their life problems. She also was involved for many years with Laite Construction, Inc. and was President of Laite Trucking, Inc. Renie was a member of the original Camden Women’s Club, Order of the Eastern Star, and for many years, the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Altar Guild. She is survived by her husband, Parker Stone Laite Sr. of Camden; her son, Parker “Chip” Jr. and his wife, Nancy L. Laite, of Camden; her daughter, Dorothy “Dody” Joan Laite Urquia and her husband, Dr. David C. Urquia of Richmond, Va. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Parker S. Laite III, a senior at Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y; and granddaughters, Victoria B. Laite at the University of Maine, Portland, Lindsey Nicole Laite Urquia and Morgan Michelle Laite Urquia of Richmond, Va. Renie also has a cousin, Linda Swanson of Brewer. She was preceded in death by her parents, John in 1976, Vera in 1987; and her sister, Joan in 1937. Visiting hours will be at the Laite’s residence at 200 Belfast Rd., Camden, 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5. The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chestnut Street, Camden. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Hosmer Pond Road, Camden. A reception will follow at “Foxhill” on Bayview Street in Camden. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Irene Laite Memorial Fund, care of Camden Public Library Foundation, 55 Main St., Camden, ME 04843 or St. Thomas Episcopal Church Sunday School Building Fund, P.O. Box 631, Camden ME 04843. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.
IRENE FITZSIMMONS LAITE
