BANGOR – Elizabeth Allen Irvine, 64, died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, at a Bangor health care facility, from complications of gall bladder cancer. Liz was born Sept. 12, 1946, in Bangor. Liz’s birth was announced on the sports page of the Bangor Daily News, because her father was coach of the freshman football team at the University of Maine, Orono.
Liz started school in Ithaca, N.Y., and graduated from Ithaca (N.Y.) High School in 1964, a National Merit Scholar. From high school she went on to St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, majoring in English and graduating in 1968. After graduation from college Liz taught English at East Kenmore High School for a few years, and then went on to take courses in library science at the University of Buffalo. Liz then changed course and earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y. She completed her internship at the Veterans Affairs Center, Buffalo, N.Y. She then accepted a position at the Veterans Affairs Center, Bangor, working with returning Vietnam veterans. Liz lived and worked in Bangor for more than 30 years. She was well credentialed as a counselor having earned her Master of Social Work degree. She was a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and a certified clinical supervisor. Liz worked with several different counseling agencies in Bangor and her most recent position was with Cornerstone Behavioral Health Center. Liz was always active in her community. She was a friend of Bill W., and participated in many local organizations and politics. Anyone who knew Liz well knew that she thoroughly loved to read, sing and knit.
Liz was predeceased by her father, William Lloyd Irvine, in 2002. She is survived by her mother, Martha Allen Irvine of Portland; sisters, Virginia Irvine of Colchester, Vt., and Margaret and her husband, Lewis Sussman, of Burlington, Vt.; her niece, Jessica and husband, Joshua Langer, and great-nephew, Noah Langer, of Burlington, Vt.; nephew, Charles Sussman of Burlington, Vt.; maternal aunt, Margaret Bertocci of Brunswick; paternal uncle, William Adams of Bangor; many cousins and their families. The family wishes to give special thanks to the Rev. Robert Carlson of Bangor for his years of support and guidance to Liz, and more recently his steadfast love, prayers and support for Liz and her family in this sad time. Liz was fortunate to have been blessed with many dear friends in the Bangor area, who have willingly helped out at this difficult time. The family would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary care and kindness Liz received while a patient at St. Joseph Hospital, Bangor, and Ross Manor, Bangor.
There will be no visiting hours. A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at East Orrington Congregational Church, where a reception will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Liz’s memory to Penobscot Community Health Care Chaplain’s Fund, care of PCHC, 103 Maine Ave., Bangor, ME 04401