Perene Prince Phillips Harriman

YARMOUTH- Perene P. Harriman, 81, passed away peacefully on November 10th, 2015. Perene was born December 28th, 1933 in Montclair, NJ. She was the youngest child of Spencer Phillips and Grace Prince. She grew up in Bronxville, NY and graduated from Harmon Hall School in York Harbor, ME. It was there where she met her husband to be, Frank E. Harriman. They married in July of 1954.

In 1955 they moved to Yarmouth where Perene became a mother and homemaker. That same year Frank, his father Edward and brother, Gordon created Harriman’s Foodliner, which went on to become a popular local grocery store for decades. As her children grew she sought employment outside of the home and worked as a Key Punch operator when computers were just in their infancy. Subsequent jobs she held and enjoyed were in direct marketing and as a nursing assistant at Coastal Manor in Yarmouth.

Later in life Perene married Ralph G. Gilmore. They spent many happy years together whilst living in Portland. They were actively involved in the Chestnut Street Church and the many cultural activities Portland offers including the Portland Museum of Art and The Portland Symphony Orchestra. They enjoyed an energetic lifestyle with each other until his passing in 1982.

Perene courageously acknowledged and battled her lifelong mental health diagnoses. She often stood up and spoke up for others who were afflicted with similar challenges. Throughout it all she found ways to look for the bright side, sprinkling humor and warm regards to all she had the chance to meet. She was willing to be a pioneer in mental health treatment volunteering for experimental therapies which are common place today. She impacted so many people and their families in a positive way.

The loves of her life were her two sons Philip and Frank and their families. Friends and caregivers were always treated to an update of the latest news of her sons, daughter-in-law’s and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter Rachael Harriman perhaps said it best, “Visiting Grammie Perene usually included talking with one of her caregivers who would say, “I’ve heard so much about you! I feel like we’ve known each other forever.”

Perene is survived by her sons Philip E. Harriman, his spouse Christie of Yarmouth, and Frank Spencer Harriman, his spouse Cathy of Orange Park, FL; her grandchildren: Rachael Harriman of Cape Elizabeth, ME; Elizabeth (Liza) Harriman of Philadelphia, PA; Jocelyn Bourassa of Freeport, ME; Jared Harriman of Durham, ME; Frank Harriman, Jr. of Orange Park, FL; Madelyn Harriman of Somerville, MA; great-grandson Simon Algara of Cape Elizabeth, ME, and great-granddaughter Eden Bourassa of Freeport, ME. Perene is predeceased by her parents Spencer and Grace Phillips, her sister Pamela and her third son Charles.

Family and Friends are warmly welcomed to attend visiting hours this Saturday Nov. 14th at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth from 3PM – 5PM followed by a Celebration of Life service. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with Perene’s family. Interment will be private.

Perene’s family is very grateful for the kindness and love bestowed upon Perene during her stay at the Coastal Manor in Yarmouth, their compassion and professionalism is so appreciated and made her time there always feel like home.