PRESQUE ISLE – Lillian M. (Gardiner) Black, 91, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Aug. 31, 2010, at a Bangor health care facility. She was born Oct. 22, 1918, in Chapman, daughter of Alfred and Delphine (Gervais) Gardiner. She was a graduate of Presque Isle High School, Class of 1937, and an employee of Opera House Cafe, J.J. Newberry and Sears Roebuck & Co., Presque Isle. A devoted and loving wife to her cherished husband, Russ, she became a nurturing mother and an inspiration to her two daughters throughout her life. Her joie de vive focused on her family, her church and her home, yet she gave generously of her time and talents to charities and community needs, volunteering often for hospital blood drives, CCD instruction and working at St. Mary’s shelter/thrift shop. She was a charter member of Daughters of Isabella, Mary Magdalen Circle No. 639 and could always be depended upon to work actively in that organization for many years. She and Russ enjoyed golfing as members of Presque Isle Country Club and their trips to St. Andrews, New Brunswick, and to the Maine coast were always a special treat. She loved poetry and readings as a member of Presque Isle Drama Club. She will be remembered as a gentle woman of deep faith, enduring selflessness, cheerful disposition and abiding love for her family. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are ever grateful for her loving presence in their lives. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Linda and James McNamara of Brewer and Sue-Ann and William Buckley of Bangor; three granddaughters, Elizabeth Bunker and her husband, Timothy, of Bucksport, Lynn Brochu and her husband, Chris, of Brewer and Carmen Buckley Reynolds and her husband, Paul, of Keene, N.H.; two grandsons, John B. Buckley of Portland and David R. McNamara and his wife, Brittany, of Epping, N.H.; and four great-grandsons, Dylan and Daniel Bunker of Bucksport, Patrick Buckley Reynolds of Keene, N.H., and Andrew McNamara of Epping, N.H. She was predeceased by her husband, Russell B. Black, in 2005; four brothers, Edward, Alfred, Albert and Ned Gardiner; and one sister, Rita (Gardiner) Groves. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Sept. 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle, with the Rev. Ray Morency, celebrant. At Lillian’s request, there will be no calling hours. Interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery, Presque Isle. Friends and family are invited to a light luncheon in the parish hall after the interment. Those who wish to remember Lillian in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter/ Homeless Services of Aroostook, Inc., P.O. Box 1753, Presque Isle, ME 04769. The family wishes to express immeasurable gratitude to the staff at Westgate Manor, Bangor, for its extraordinary level of compassionate care during Lillian’s final months. Arrangements in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
LILLIAN M. (GARDINER) BLACK
