SOUTH PORTLAND – Ethel Jeanne Psomiades died Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2009, surrounded by loved ones. She was born June 18, 1922, in Old Town, the first child of Alice Comeau LeBreton and J. Walter LeBreton Sr. She was a graduate of Old Town High School, Class of 1940. Ethel lived an active and fulfilling life, working in shoe mills in Old Town and then for Pepperell Manufacturing, Biddeford. She continued an active work life with insurance offices and as a realtor. She married Van T. Psomiades, Dec. 7, 1956, at St. Demetrios Church, Biddeford. They spent the next 30 years living in Saco and after retirement moved to Holiday, Fla., where they spent the next 20 years. During 17 years in Florida, Ethel worked as a substitute teacher in the primary grades. As a young woman she had hoped to be a teacher and that dream was fulfilled when from ages 66 to 83 she was surrounded by her young charges who came into the classroom saying, “I love you, Mrs. E.” It was music to her ears. In June 2006 she returned to South Portland, where she resided until recent illness moved her to Falmouth by the Sea Nursing Home. Ethel is survived by two daughters, the Rev. Linda Kimball and her husband, George, of Rumford, and Norma Doody and her husband, John, of South Portland; one sister, Louise Davis of Old Town; two brothers, George LeBreton and his wife, Gerry, of Bradley, and J. Walter LeBreton Jr. and his wife, Aleta, of Olamon; five grandchildren, Jean Kimball of Portland, Sean Doody and his wife, Robin, of Dover, N.H., Steven Kimball of Hampden, Susan Kimball of Holyoke, Mass., and Ned Doody of Portsmouth, N.H.; and three great-grandchildren, Megan and Lily Doody of Durham, N.H., and Parker Kimball of Hampden. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins; and one aunt, Margaret Thibeault of Saco. Predeceasing her were her husband of 52 years, Van Psomiades, April 25, 2009; her parents; one sister, Edith Caldwell; and one brother, Raymond LeBreton. We give our grateful thanks for the wonderful care our loved one received at Falmouth by the Sea and Beacon Hospice. A memorial Mass to celebrate Ethel’s life will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Holy Family Church, Main Street, Old Town. Burial will be afterward at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Old Town. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Lung Association, Falmouth by the Sea or Beacon Hospice. Arrangements are with Old Orchard Beach Funeral Home and Birmingham Funeral Home, Old Town.
ETHEL J. PSOMIADES
