1938 - 2018
SCARBOROUGH - Sandra Jane Rouse died peacefully surrounded by her family at Gosnell Memorial Hospice in Scarborough, Maine on August 1, 2018 at the age of 79.
Sandra is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Reginald Rouse Jr. of Scarborough, brother George Smith Jr. and his wife Valerie of South Portland; son Brett Stewart and his fiancee Sandra Divel of Lyman; son Scott Stewart Sr. and wife Vera of Leesburg, Virginia; son Todd Stewart and wife Bonnie of Portland; and daughter Tracey Deniso of Scarborough. Grandchildren Macie, Molly and Scott Stewart Jr. of Leesburg, Virginia; Nicholas Stewart of Biddeford; Evan, Alex, and Samantha Stewart of Portland; and Cameron and Reid Deniso of Scarborough. Great grandchild Mykah Deckman of Leesburg, Virginia. Cousins Scott and Steven Foster and their families. Nieces Kim and Allison Smith and their families. She was predeceased by her parents George and Edna Smith, father and mother in-law Reginald Rouse Sr. and wife Dorothy; Aunts’ Rhoda Foster and Phyllis Verbillo, sister in-law Leola Gay Rouse and nephew Robert “Bub” Allan Smith.
Sandra was born on September 26th, 1938 in Portland, Maine. She attended Portland Schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1956. She took secretarial courses after graduation and could type 70 plus words per minute. She worked for Ametek, the Portland Press Herald, and ran the show at AB Apartments, a family business, for 40 plus years. She lived in the Portland area her whole life. For the past 30 years or so, Sandra and Reggie wintered in Pompano Beach, Florida, establishing many treasured friendships there.
Sandra grew up in a family with a strong work ethic and core values and, in turn, was a loving, caring, and generous mom to four extremely fortunate children. She was an accomplished bowler, enjoying her Candlepin league for many years while her back allowed. She was a voracious reader, and we all remember her bringing grocery bags full of books that she had read back to Annie’s Book Stop or Goodwill and quickly filling up another bag with “new” used books to read. She loved to do crossword puzzles and play Canasta, Yahtzee, and Chromino with her mom, aunts, children and grandchildren. For many years she played in a weekly Bunko game with a large group of friends. As her family grew, she loved to host Christmas Eve and Christmas day festivities. She was a dedicated and caring wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many. She was a great mom who put family first and was passionate about seeing her children and grandchildren be caring and happy people. In her later years, she especially enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s games and school events. She also really enjoyed playing Words with Friends on her Kindle with her Florida friends. She was a believer in God who often volunteered at the Preble Street Resource Center.
Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at the Maine Medical Center CCU and all the staff and volunteers at Gosnell Memorial Hospice for the respectful, thoughtful care they provide. A special thanks to Jamal RN at Gosnell for the loving care he provides and humanity he displays to all who he encounters.
Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting Sandra’s online guestbook at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
Visiting hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday August 10, 2018 at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine. There will also be a graveside service on Saturday August 11, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery, 881 Highland Avenue, South Portland, Maine. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sandra’s life. Flowers are welcome. In lieu of flowers, for those who are so inclined, please consider a donation to Gosnell Memorial Hospice, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, Maine 04074. A service of Jones Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, Maine 04103. 775-3763.
