Antoinette (Ferrante) Ferrante Gignac

Antoinette (Ferrante) Gignac, 80, of Portland died on Thursday, October 14, 2010, at Maine Medical Center.

Toni, as she was known, was born in Lettomanoppello, Italy on November 11, 1929, the oldest of nine children of the late Carmine & Lauorina (DiPaolo) Ferrante. She arrived at Ellis Island when she was one year old and her parents settled at 34 Hammond Street. Toni had to leave school early to help support her siblings.

Toni worked for Standard Linen Laundry for 25 years before retiring.

Toni loved going to Beano up until her stroke in 2005. She was an avid knitter and would make hats, scarves, and mittens for all her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was a true Matriarch and loved spending as much time as possible with her family.

She is survived by her five children, Diane Tanerillo and her husband Michael of Denmark, ME, Philip Gignac and his wife Janet Thiboutot-Gignac of Portland, Anthony Gignac of Old Orchard Beach, Mary Louise Waterhouse of Portland, and Edward Gignac of Bangor. She also leaves fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, as well as two brothers Charles Ferrante and his wife Kathleen and Thomas Ferrante and his wife Donna both of Portland, four sisters Lucy Maxwell and her husband Raymond, Maryann Maloney both of Portland, Alvita Vecchione of Yarmouth, and Concetta Lane and her husband Richard of Portland, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her former husband Louis H. Gignac, Sr. and son Louis H. Gignac, Jr. sister Arlene Sandora and brother Santino Ferrante.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, October 17, 2010 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland.

Prayers will be recited on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 9 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland with Rev Larry Conley celebrating.

Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to:

Barron Center

1145 Brighton Ave.

Portland, ME 04102

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Toni’s guest book.

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com