JAY – Genelle Ruth Gingras, 61, of Jay went home to be in the arms of her angels on July 14, 2009 at home surrounded by her loving family after a long courageous battle with COPD.
She was born in Farmington, Maine, on Feb. 10, 1948 to Gerold Edgar and Ruth Lillian (Kennedy) Toothaker. She attended schools in Wilton and proudly earned her GED later in life. On Sept. 29, 1984 she married R. Paul Gingras in a unique ceremony on Canton Mountain in Canton on a beautiful cloudless day in the eyes of our Lord and in the company of close family and friends.
She was employed at several places in her life including the Wilton Tannery, Franklin Shoe, and Orchard Park Rehabilitation & Living Center. After the murder of her granddaughter, Amber Rose Pond, in 1999, she became the leader of the Maine Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and traveled to national POMC conventions in many states. She was also a member of the North Jay Grange. Nell loved spending time with her family, including her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her many friends. She also enjoyed camping, her flower gardens, nature, and feeding her chipmunks.
Nell is survived by her husband Paul; daughters Elaine August and her husband Jesse of Industry, Sonya Heintz of Athol, MA, Lori Lavasseur and companion Thomas Meader of East Wilton, and Amanda Carter and husband Robert of Kentucky; grandchildren Amy Levasseur, Alvin Pond, Ashley Levasseur, Ryan St. Pierre, Roland Brown, and Mikahla August; great grandchildren Staci and Sadie Lee, Raven Pond and Kalyb Taylor; sisters Glana Roberts and Gae Toothaker; brothers Gerold Toothaker, Jr. and Gordon Toothaker; many nieces, nephews and cousins; special niece Jamie Brown-Clendening and special sister-in-law Wanda SainteGermain. She was predeceased by her parents, granddaughter Amber Rose Pond, sisters Gloria Miller, Glenda Gordon, and Geri Toothaker; brothers Glidden (Tuffy), Galin (Tarzy), Glen (Joe), and Glendon (David) Toothaker.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Emergency Room Staff, Respiratory Therapists, and Third Floor Nurses at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice Staff, Lincare and Dr. Audette.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so through the funeral home’s website www.adamsmcfarlane.com using the “contact us” option. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Maine Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children in care of Arthur Jette, 150 Bailey Road, Cambridge, Maine 04923.
