Louise Effie Lavaway

Louise Effie Ferguson Lavaway, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mildred Lavaway and Don Ratcliff, in Vernon Hill, Virginia. She was 85 at the time of her death. Mrs. Lavaway was born in Portland, Maine on January 23, 1927, the daughter of William Franklin Ferguson and Wilma L. (Rogers) Ferguson. She resided and was educated in the Portland/ Falmouth, Maine area until 1947, when she moved to Presque Isle, Maine to work for the New England Telephone Company. She resided at a local Presque Isle landmark called, The Bellstead, a sorority home for out-of-town telephone operators. Shortly after her arrival to Presque Isle she met and wed the love of her life, Adrine Dennis Lavaway, and they were married on January 23, 1948. They resided in Presque for a few years and then moved to Mapleton to raise their family. Mrs. Lavaway was very active in her children's lives, 4-H, riding clubs and was also a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers Club. In addition to her family and friends, Mrs. Lavaway's loves and interests included singing, writing, still life painting, reading, bird watching, gardening and caring for numerous beloved pets. She is survived by her six children, Mildred Lavaway and husband Don Ratcliff of Vernon Hill, VA, Dennis Lavaway and wife Donna of Waynesboro, VA, Gary Lavaway and wife Becky of Presque Isle, ME, Carolyn Griffin of Sherrill's Ford, VA, Marilyn Saucier of Hope, ME and Connie Orcutt-Lavaway of Portland, ME, 15 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Carmeline Tardy of Lincoln, ME and Jean Oliver of CT and many friends. Mrs. Lavaway was predeceased by her loving husband, Adrine Dennis Lavaway, her parents, William and Wilma Ferguson and brothers, Albert, Kenneth, Bill and Elmer Ferguson. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Presque Isle, ME, with the Rev. Morency officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery following the funeral mass. Mrs. Lavaway's loving and nurturing spirit will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her. Donations in her memory may be made to The Central Aroostook Humane Society, 23 Cross Street, Presque Isle, ME 04679 (207) 764-3441.