Avis Butler Gallant

Portland, Maine- Avis Butler Marston Gallant, 93 of Portland died peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2014 in her home at The Osher Inn in Portland. She was born on July10, 1921 on "the farm" in Falmouth, the daughter of Elmer and Louise (Cookson) Marston of Falmouth. She had many fond memories of living on the farm and her beloved dog Rover. Avis graduated from Falmouth High School in 1940, where she played trumpet in the All State Music Band, she also attended the Castine Music Camp and was proud of the fact that she was one of the first female trumpet players to play live on the radio in NYC. After graduating high school Avis worked in Portland in the business office at Grant Knowles. During WWII she was a top seller of War Bonds. In September of 1943 Avis took the train across country with her mother to wed Joseph H. Gallant, Jr. in Portland, Oregon before he went off to war. She had met Joe through their mutual love of music.

Avis and Joe raised their three daughters in Portland, where she became involved with the Portland public school PTA. Avis was known for her caring heart which was shown through her cooking and entertaining. Her holiday spreads were always pleasing to the eye and the palette. She served as the secretary on the Maine Marine Alpine Club and an active participant of the Windham Historical Society. When her daughters' were grown she went back to work at Porteous, Mitchell and Braun and The Hallmark Store on Congress Street. Avis was a lover of the written word and would send beautiful cards and letters treasured by many she also keep a daily journal in her elegant penmanship. Later in life she found an appreciation for football, she followed the game religiously never having been familiar with the sport before she discovered Tom Brady. Avis and Joe were always on the go, either attending live music locally or traveling down to the Caribbean for scuba diving and traveling to the U.K.

Avis was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Joseph H. Gallant Jr.

She is survived by her three daughters, Linda Marie Palmer and her husband Joel of Limerick, Deborah Ann Gallant and her husband Wil Gordon of Searsmont, and Ann Marie Rosenfield of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren, Jonathan Palmer and his wife Jennifer of Minot, Amy Louise Hanson and her husband Tony of Limerick, Alexander "Jake" Rosenfield and Hannah "Zoe" Rosenfield of Cape Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Jillian, Jocelyn, Nathan and Izabella.

Friends and family are invited to attend a time of Visitation will on Monday, December 1, 2014 from 4 to 7 PM at Jones, Rich, and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodfords Street, Portland, Maine. A private graveside service will be held in the spring at Blanchard Cemetery in Falmouth, Maine. On-line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.