FORT FAIRFIELD – Sandra M. Conant, 63, wife of James R. Conant Sr., passed away Tuesday morning, April 10, 2012, at her residence, after a brief illness. She was born July 2, 1948, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of George and Mae (Ladner) Buckingham.
Sandra was a graduate of Easton High School, class of 1966, and went on to further her education at Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, Presque Isle, in their nursing program. Sandra was married to James R. Conant Jan. 17, 1970. She was a member of Laureate Gamma Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Fort Fairfield, a member of the former Order of the Eastern Star Goodwill Chapter No. 85, Fort Fairfield, and also was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fort Fairfield. Mrs. Conant had been employed as a nurse at the former Community General Hospital, Fort Fairfield, and for several area doctors including Dr. Stephen Wood from 1979 to 2011. Sandra will be forever remembered by her family as a wonderful and caring wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She enjoyed family get-togethers, and her baked beans, potato salad and bread will be remembered by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Sandra was predeceased by one brother, Ivan Buckingham; and one sister-in-law, Linda D. Kelley. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, James R. Conant Sr.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Heather and Joe Cassidy, and Kimberly and Shawn Cote, all of Fort Fairfield; one son and daughter-in-law, James R. Conant Jr. and Ekaterina Kuznetsova of Scarborough; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Grayden “Buck” and Nan Buckingham of Washburn and Leon and Sheila Buckingham of Garfield Plantation; two sisters and brother-in-law, Electra and John Blodget, and Sharon Barkley, all of Easton; three grandsons, Collin, Dalton and Ethan Cassidy, all of Fort Fairfield; numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind two brothers-in-law, Tom Conant and his wife, Betty Kent Conant, and Melvin Kelley, and their families, of Fort Fairfield; and one sister-in-law, Jo Ann Russum and family of Holden.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 166 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Smith officiating. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the funeral service at Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Interment will take place later in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Sandra to C-A-N-C-E-R, P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or the charity of one’s choice. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church.