BREWER – Mildred “Vena” Gass, 96, wife of the late John Andrew Gass, died April 8, 2012, surrounded by her loving family at her residence. She was born April 29, 1915, in Presque Isle, daughter of Ernest and Lela Canty.
Vena, as she was known, worked for many years for Eastern Corp., Brewer, in the advertising department. She resided at Ellen Leach Home, Brewer, for 14 years and had recently been living at Woodlands. Vena enjoyed reading, bingo, playing cards, scrabble and Tridominos. She was known to her grandchildren as “Nana Banana” and after a few driving mishaps, known to the older grandchildren as “NASCAR Nana.”
She is survived by two children, Velma Stewart and her husband, Donald, of Stillwater, and Sally Zoidis and her husband, William, of Portland; daughter-in-law, Keneen Gass of Bangor; nine grandchildren, with whom she each had a special relationship, Bruce Stewart and his wife, Yvette, of Brewer, Brent Stewart and his fiancee, Kellie, of Brewer, Paulette Barter and her husband, Philip, of Portland, Lindsley Getchell of Portland, Scott Arnold of Holden, Lori Haas and her husband, Bill, of Phoenix, Vicky Mercier and Tom Blake of Portland, Chris Zoidis and his wife, Nicole, of Plymouth, Mich., and Karen Tardiff and her husband, Thomas, of Brewer; several loving great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband in 1973; daughter, Kathaleen Arnold, by a few hours; and son, Andrew “Andy” Gass. Her family gratefully thanks the staff of Woodlands and Jean of Beacon Hospice for their excellent care.
Family and friends may visit 2-4 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer, where a service honoring her life will begin 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Brewer Public Library, 100 South Main St., Brewer, ME 04412. Condolences may be offered to her family at
www.kileyandfoley.com.