Obituary of Anita J. Gagne

ANITA JOY SCHOFF GAGNE
11/2/42 - 7/4/24

Anita Joy Schoff Gagne, lovingly known as "Nanny" to all, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 4, 2024, at the age of 81 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Anita lived most of her life in the town of South Berwick, Maine.  Anita was a proud graduate of Berwick Academy, class of '61. She played a serious game of basketball and was nicknamed "Sure Shot Schoff" by her teammates and peers.

Anita was defined by her unwavering devotion to her family, friends, and community. She was a loving and loyal wife to her husband Bob for sixty-three years. They shared many adventures, including countless motorcycle rides, often with the Blue Knights, and memorable cruises to Alaska. Traveling was a favorite pastime, especially with family. She also enjoyed gardening, camping, snowmobiling, fishing, and yard sales.

As a mother, she was the best. She poured her heart into raising her two children, AnnMarie (Ree) and Danny. She became the "best Nanny" to her five adored grandchildren: Ashley, Christie, Allison, Kendall, and Cody, who will miss her deeply.

Her passion for nurturing extended beyond her immediate family. Anita worked with children at Central School in South Berwick and loved being "Nanny" to the many daycare children she cared for throughout the years. She also found joy in simple pleasures: bingo nights, curling up in her corner of the couch with her coffee and favorite snack, her pups by her hip, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every evening with her granddaughter "Pal Al". She enjoyed Sunday dinners at Nana's, listening to Elvis with niece Joann, and loved her long, late-night talks with faithful friend Wendi. She also loved raising her sweet Boston Terriers- her Halo will miss her dearly.

A woman of many talents, Anita delighted in playing the guitar and singing with family and friends. She had a gift for words, often expressing herself by writing heartfelt poems, some worthy of publishing. She crafted beautiful quilts for her loved ones, and her culinary skills were legendary.

In 2020, Anita and Bob moved with their daughter and son-in-law to their dream home on the Kennebec River in Dresden, Maine. There, she found peace watching sturgeon jump and eagles soar over the water and land in the backyard trees. She looked forward to watching sunsets from the family sunroom or patio. She often referred to her home as 'heaven on earth' and truly embraced its tranquility.

Anita was predeceased by her parents, Clinton & Lena Schoff, and her siblings: Clint, Kay Scanlon, Jack, Wayne, Bonnie Cabe Ham, and Gary. She is survived by her beloved husband Bob, daughter AnnMarie and husband Peter Jardine, son Daniel and wife Yvonne Gagne, and sisters Tina Lincoln and Connie Lee.

Please remember Anita for her positivity, sincerity, generosity, compassion, kindness, contagious laugh, hilarious pranks, profound sense of humor, and gentle spirit. Most importantly, remember her for her 'glass-half-full approach' and gratefulness for life.

In lieu of flowers, Anita wished for funds to be shared with her children, Danny and Ree, so that they could plant birch trees in their backyards in her memory. Alternatively, donations can be made in Anita's name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help with the fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia. No formal services are scheduled at this time, but more details will follow regarding a celebration of life at the family's home in Dresden, Maine.

Family addresses:

• Robert Gagne c/o AnnMarie Jardine, 35 Densmore Lane, Dresden, ME 04342
• Daniel Gagne, 63 Cinnecord Place, Garner, NC 27529