LEWISTON — Rosemary Helen Gagnon Cunion, 90, formerly of Schooner Estates in Auburn, Maine, died peacefully, surrounded by family after an extended period of ill health, Saturday Aug. 11, in Lewiston. She was born in Portland, Maine, on Jan. 9, 1928, daughter of Telesphore and Winnifred (Burke) Gagnon. She was educated at Holy Family School, Lewiston High School and Rivier College in Nashua, NH, graduating in 1949 with a degree in English and a minor in education.
After her mother’s death in 1933, Rose and her two brothers were moved to Lewiston, to live with her Aunt Minna and Uncle Hormidas “Doc” Harel. Rosemary spoke no French and her aunt spoke no English, so Rose and her brothers quickly became fluent in French.
Rosemary taught English, French and Latin at North Anson Academy in North Anson, Maine. She worked summers at the Lewiston-Auburn Camp for Girls on Thompson Lake. Following her time in North Anson, Rose worked in Somerville, Mass., for the Girl Scout Council as a field director.
On Aug. 29, 1953, Rose married Edward J. Cunion. They lived in Hartford, Conn., for four years. During that time, Rose worked for Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. in the group sales and employee benefits divisions. After they discovered they were expecting their first child, she and Ed moved back to her childhood home in Lewiston, where she raised her family.
Once her children were in school, Rose returned to the classroom to teach at the Dingley and Frye Schools in Lewiston. She was a highly regarded teacher and served the L/A community in this role for many years. After retirement, Rose volunteered for WCBB until she was called back to the classroom, where she taught for Auburn Adult Education for many years.
After that, Rose spent her free time dedicated to her grandchildren, playing golf, entertaining friends and watching the Red Sox.
She is survived by her son Edward Jr. his wife, Sedienyane, and their sons Nathan and Caleb of Lakewood, Colo.; her daughter, Mary Grove, and her husband, Todd, and their and two sons Colin and Ethan of Cumberland; and her son Patrick and his wife, Ellen, of Durham,.
Rosemary’s family would like to thank the staff at Schooner Estates for the exceptional care provided her for the past five years.
Rosemary H. Gagnon Cunion
Send questions/comments to the editors.