BREWER and BANGOR – Irene S. Gallant passed away peacefully Dec. 9, 2010, at a Bangor nursing center. She was born May 23, 1922, in Caribou, daughter of Ernest and Louise Starbird. Most of her childhood was spent in Old Town, where she graduated with honors from Old Town High School in 1939. Irene was a devoted and loving mother. She was very involved in the lives of her children as they were growing up. Through the years she was a Cub Scout den mother and a Girl Scout troop leader. Irene had a genuine love for music. The stereo was always playing in her home instilling the same passion in each of her children. She anxiously awaited the release of each new Walt Disney musical, which she and her daughters would attend together. Irene was an avid reader, and at one time her desire to share this love led her to become involved with Literacy Volunteers. She also enjoyed gardening, and her favorite flower was the iris. Her gardens always attracted a wide array of colorful birds, which she fed and admired. Among her hobbies were knitting, crocheting and various crafts. She enjoyed collecting Gobel Humel figurines and Bone china teacups. Irene had worked in retail sales for many years. She spent many enjoyable hours in her positions at Rogerson’s Variety, Brewer, and at Picture & Gift Shop, Bangor. Her most cherished job however was the time she spent helping at her son and daughter-in-law’s store in Kennebunk. Irene was predeceased by her first husband, Frank J. Gallant; her second husband, John P. Gallant; and her brother, William A. Starbird. She is survived by her sons, Frank J. Gallant and his wife, Ann, of Brewer, James C. Gallant and his wife, Patricia, of Massanutten, Va., and William E. Gallant and his wife, Anna, of Scarborough; daughters, Kathryn A. Cheverie of Bangor, and Margaret E. Packer and her husband, Edward, of Toledo, Ohio; her grandchildren, whom she deeply loved, John K. Gallant of Killingworth, Conn., Andrew J. Gallant of Marietta, Ga., Paul M. Gallant of New York, Brian M. Gallant of Broken Arrow, Okla., Katie L. Cheverie of Bangor and Amy M. Packer of Toledo, Ohio; and great-grandchildren, whom she also deeply loved, Jordan and Devin Gallant of Killingworth, Conn., Kay Dee, Danielle and Andrew Gallant, all of Marietta, Ga. Irene’s family gratefully thanks the staff of Bangor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their excellent, skillful and loving care. A service celebrating and honoring Irene’s life will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer, where family and friends may visit 10 a.m. until the service begins. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to American Heart Assoc., 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to a charity of choice.
IRENE S. GALLANT
