Alvena Eleanor Knight Wiers

Scarborough- Alvena “Vena” Eleanor (Knight) Wiers, 102, of Holiday Drive, passed away on February 20, 2016 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. She was born in Portland a daughter of Joseph H. and Annie M. (Sanborn) Knight and grew up in East Deering. At the age of 17, she joined The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War where she was a member for 84 years.

She married George W. Wiers and they lived in Portland where they raised their only child, George J. Wiers, known to everyone as, “Joey”. Vena worked for Cushman’s Bakery on Congress Street in Portland and later at Harriman’s Grocery Store in Yarmouth. After Joey married Jackie Picard, Vena and Jackie started their own cleaning business.

She was the organist at the Washington Ave. Methodist Church for years. After her husband died in 1973, she became the organist for the Thornton Heights United Methodist Church in So. Portland, where she met her good friend and companion, Carol Clark, who was in the choir and the Choir Director.

Vena didn’t drive and for many years would walk all over Portland. Carol drove her everywhere. Vena loved to go to her nephew’s restaurant, Uncle Don’s in Cape Elizabeth. Her favorite foods were lobster, ice cream and cookies.

She moved to Sheply Street Apartments and lived there many years. She later moved to West Street Apartments where Carol lived. Her apartment was on the first floor and Carol’s on the 4th. She moved to Carol’s apartment 7 years ago. She and Carol went everywhere together for many years. They would spend a few weeks in Boothbay Harbor every summer and fall, a trip she looked forward to.

She knitted mittens for CMP, they supplied the yarn and would knit more than 400 pairs a year. She always enjoyed making them and would always give a pair to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when in need. When she turned 99 years old, she made her last batch which was more than 500 pair. She then took up crossword and word search. She also enjoyed cross stitch.

Vena was a very kind and helpful person. She always enjoyed a joke and was very independent right up to the end of her life. In August of 2015, Vena and Carol moved to Birchwoods at Canco Assisted Living Community in Portland. On her 102nd birthday, she received many cards and visitors and was so proud of reaching 102.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, George W. Wiers in 1973; son, George J. Wiers in 2001; sister, Gladys Knight Drew in 1969.

She is survived by her best friend, Carol Clark; 6 grandchildren: George “Peter” Wiers and his wife Dora of Pownal; Jolene Darling and her husband Paul of Rocksbury, ME; Paul Wiers and wife Debbie of Litchfield; Payson Wiers and wife Susan of Raymond; Joyce Brady and husband Michael of Pownal; Perry Wiers Picard of Pownal. She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren, 31 great-great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-great-grandchildren; 2 nephews and 15 great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Carol Clark for all her loving care and support and for taking such good care of Vena. They would also like to thank Jessica at the assisted living facility and Beth Munday for their help and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their exceptional care.

Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation from 1-2 pm on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, where a funeral service will follow at 2 pm. Burial will be in the spring at Village Cemetery in Naples. Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Vena’s online guest book.