VERNON – Katherine Tobin Champanier, 53, lost her courageous battle with cancer on August 23, 2013. She left this world peacefully at her home with family by her side. Tobin was born in Ft Fairfield, ME on Oct. 30, 1959, daughter of Woodbury and Mary Ann Berce. She grew up in Ft Fairfield and St. Agatha, Maine.
She most loved being surrounded by family and friends. Because of her outgoing personality and sincere interest in others she always had many friends whether it was in the workplace, as a 4-H leader or with the Volunteer Firefighter Woman’s Auxiliary. She faced each of her challenges with strength, courage, faith and her unwavering positive attitude. As a previous cancer survivor, she endured countless medical procedures but never complained or felt sorry for herself. She had a huge heart and left us way too early.
She will be deeply missed by her family and leaves her husband Norman, her sons, Benjamin Moore and Timothy (Melissa) Moore, grandson, Colton Moore, and step-daughter, Jennifer Lawhorn. Also grieving for Tobin is her sister, Jill de Vries (Ewout) of Marco Island, FL., her brother, Ned Berce (Carol) of St Agatha, ME., and her step-father, Phil Currier of Presque Isle, ME, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will also be sadly missed by two very special friends who were always there for her; Debbie Sirois and Cheryl Seagaert. Tobin was preceded in death by her father, Woody Berce, whom she revered and adored and lost when she was only 13, and by her mother, Mary Ann Currier, who died earlier this year. Tobin spent a week caring for her mother this winter before she died.
A memorial service will held later in the fall at Long Lake, Maine. “What is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountaintop, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.” (Kahil Gibran). Bin, we will always keep you in our hearts.
Katherine Tobin Champanier
