Peacefully and unexpectedly, Florence "Gug" Sterns passed away at her home on Norridgewock Avenue on August 20th.
She was born in West Athens, ME on December 6, 1929, daughter of Frederick and Susan (Wyman) Tuttle. Florence lived a loving, productive, and interesting life. In her early culinary career she opened a home bakery, operated a beach club in Vero Beach, FL with her first husband Walter, and later owned and operated the Village Candlelight Restaurant in Skowhegan from 1963-1993. Her "From Soup to Nutz" column was a local publication favorite. Florence also taught the Culinary Arts Program for SAD #54 in the vocational department for many years and later conducted cooking classes at the restaurant and at her home for hundreds of delighted students. She was a strong advocate of education and expanding one's life experiences. She mentored many of her students and employees, helping them to achieve their dreams. In her "retirement" years she spent time as chef at the remote Royal Coachman Lodge in Alaska, Attean Lodge in Jackman, and catered the Akron Opera Gala, directed functions for the Northwood Institute in Midland, TX, and worked as a chef in the kitchen with her grandsons at the Lakewood Inn. In 1984 she completed and graduated from an accelerated program at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY. In 1993, Florence was honored by the town of Skowhegan for her service to the community and was presented a key to the town.
Beyond her work, she enjoyed traveling with her family and sought out various adventures including shopping for food at local markets in Tuscany and preparing dinners near Florence, Italy where she was affectionately referred to as "Mother Florence". Her greatest joy was her six grandsons; she took pride in beating them in arm wrestling, ping pong, and poker. In addition to her love of family, she found her greatest happiness in cooking for them and and her very extended family. Gug's Sunday dinners are legendary and will be remembered by thousands of good friends and family members from all over the world.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Walter E. Blaisdell, two infant sons, David and Robert and her brother Frank Tuttle. She is survived by her husband Richard S. Sterns of Skowhegan, her daughters: Susan Blaisdell of Norridgewock, Nancy Blaisdell Baxter of E. Madison, Karen Blaisdell LaCasse and her companion Brandon Woolley of Baldwin. Grandsons: Mark LaCasse and wife Kelly of Little Corn Island, Nicaragua, Nathan LaCasse and wife Mary of Manchester, NH, Jonah Daigle and wife Hannah of Little Canada, MN, Jesse LaCasse and wife Anna of E. Madison, Ben Daigle and fiancee Heather Rogers of Yarmouth, and Mick Daigle of Yarmouth. Great-grandsons: Brady LaCasse of E. Madison, Rylan LaCasse of E. Madison, and Eben LaCasse of Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. She is also survived by her sisters, Freda Raymond, Regina Carff, Janice Kent; Elaine and George Cannell, Reta Wheater, and Harvey and Ronni Sterns, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by Ellen Richmond, Philomena MacLean, Verne and Irene Daigle, Richard LaCasse, Brent Daigle, and everyone who attended her New Years Eve Festivities and famous Sunday Night Dinners.
A celebration of Gug's life will be held at the Lakewood Inn in Madison on October 9, 2010 at 1pm.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence's memory to honor her love of her beloved pets to the Somerset Humane Society, P.O. Box 453, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
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