Marie Cecila Lancaster-Hale

With broken hearts we put to paper only a mere fraction of a wonderful life lived. These words are too few and sadly final in print.

Sadly, our Marie Cecilia Lancaster senselessly died on March 31, 2018 in her home in Norridgewock, Maine a victim of domestic violence. As part of the unimaginable tragedy Marie and Ryan lost their beloved dog "Baby". Ryan adored his "Baby" and Marie was so proud of her "Granddog". Her name was truly appropriate because she was treated as well as any baby ever born. Ryan has laid his beloved pet to rest with a heavy heart.

Marie was born on September 24, 1959 in Augusta Maine the daughter of Leo and Irene Knapp Lancaster. She was the fifth born of six children. Her license plate lovingly reflected her place in the pecking order, Lanc5. She grew up in Mount Vernon Maine with her later education years in Jay, Maine. She graduated from Jay High School in the class of 1978.

Marie was a very special woman. She was a kind and caring person to a fault. Her heart was bigger than her body. She visited and donated to children’s cancer centers and each December she would don her beautiful Mrs. Claus dress and hat and become the most beautiful and believable Mrs. Claus. She delighted the children. She would arrive with a sack full of ‘goodies’ and create a very ‘special day’ for the children. They would smother her in kisses and hugs.

She answered the call every day to help those in need, the elderly, the sick, needy children, animal shelters and still ‘never missed work’. She proudly visited every ‘Goodwill’ store in the State of Maine with donations aplenty. She was a very talented person in many ways. She was a fabulous cook. When needed she would cook her wonderful treats for various ‘drives’ in the area to help out those in need. Marie never expected nor accepted any money. Everything came from that “huge heart”.

Marie wore many hats in her 58 years on this earth. She had boundless talents creating and crafting in her own workshop in her basement and accomplishing numerous other ‘womanly things’ but Marie could get her hands dirty, really dirty. She could don work clothes and work beside fellow male employees in a man’s world. Her working career was mostly physical. She worked in paper mills. She was a master with a chainsaw. She could stay up with or surpass the best of men. She could be very independent and rarely, if ever, asked for a hand.

Marie was a very proud member of the Vernon Valley Chapter # 68 of the Order of the Eastern Star where she was an officer. She was a strong advocate for women’s rights. Her many lady friend’s often said that “Marie puts us all to shame.”

In keeping with a long standing family tradition Marie was, a fierce supporter of Union labor, a proud member of United Steel Workers and USW Women of Steel program, she represented her local union at many AFL -CIO functions.

Marie was extremely comical to the point where you would pray for air. She could shoot from the hip and entertain all in her midst. Marie was a notary and performed many many marriages in her beautiful black robe that she made with the lace collar. These services were always her gift to the bride and groom.

Marie had a nicknames. She was known by her siblings and nieces and nephews as ‘Ceci,’ ‘Aunt D,’ ‘Murdzo’ among others. Don’t ask!!

Marie’s greatest accomplishment in her life was bringing her son, Ryan Paul Cook, into this world. Ryan is a wonderful man and adored by all who know him. Marie passed on that generous heart and work ethic to Ryan along with a great sense of humor.

Marie Cecilia Lancaster leaves behind a grieving family, her wonderful son, Ryan Cook and fiancé Tracy Jobber of Benton, Maine, she leaves two sisters, Catherine Seely of Limerick, Maine. Michele Witham and her husband Travis of Buckfield, Maine and one brother, Dana Lancaster and his wife Peggy of Mount Vernon, Maine and many nieces and nephews that loved her so very much.

She is predeceased by her parents Leo and Irene Knapp Lancaster and older brother Stephen Lancaster.

A Celebration of Marie’s life will be held Saturday April 14, 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

Donations may be made in Marie’s memory to the Family Violence Project, P O Box 304, Augusta, Me 04332-0304, or to the Somerset Humane Society, PO Box 453, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.