SKOWHEGAN – Marie (Soper) Curneil, 92, died Jan. 21, 2007, at a Skowhegan health care facility after a brief illness and courageous effort to recover. She was born Nov. 22, 1914, in Dixmont, the daughter of Scollay and Florence (Jewett) Soper. She was educated in Newport schools and a graduate of Newport High School. She also graduated from Gorham Normal School and went on to teach at schools in Kittery, Sangerville and Millinocket until her marriage to Joseph E. Curneil in 1945. Marie was an accomplished musician and in her earlier years she played the piano for dances and for the silent movies. She also played the pipe organ at the Peoples United Methodist Church, Newport. In 1947, Joe and Marie purchased the Noyes Stove Corporation, Skowhegan, where she worked as a sales lady and a kitchen designer. Marie’s beloved husband of 50 years died Aug. 28, 1995. She was a member of the Redington-Fairview Auxiliary and Northwind Inc. Marie was an indefatigable gardener, a lover of music and dancing, an enthusiastic bridge player, a caregiver, a source of great wit and wisdom, a great hostess and a poet. She is survived by her niece, Kristi Hamilton of Newport; two great-nieces and their husbands, Jennifer and Donnie Dow of Pittsfield and Karen and Don Jackson of Shalimar, Fla.; two great-great-nephews, Matthew and Parker Jackson; and one great-great-niece, Danielle Dow. Marie is also survived by three generations of Joe’s beloved nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by scores of friends, in whom she took immense joy, especially the children. Along with her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Beverly Hamilton in 1998; and her niece, Jill Hamilton Quint in 1988. According to Marie’s wishes there will be no funeral, but she did leave this request. “I should like a gathering of friends and relatives for a good friendly time and good refreshments. I want this remembrance of me to be a pleasant time for everyone. It will make me happy to know that all my good friends and relatives have met and enjoyed my hospitality. No tears, please!” Friends and family are invited to gather 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Redington Memorial Home, 11 North Ave., Skowhegan, where Marie had resided for the last two years. There will be a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery, Newport in the spring. At Marie’s request, in lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial donations to Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, P.O. Box 3069, Skowhegan, ME 04976. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, 34 High St., Newport. To sign an online guest book please visit www.philipbrownfuneralhome.com
MARIE (SOPER) CURNEIL
