AUBURN - The Hon. Lois Anita Snowe-Mello, 67, passed peacefully late Sunday, January 24, at Androscoggin Hospice House. Lois was literally in the hands of family, Kim and Candy, and had been surrounded the last two months every day by love and support from her family and so many friends. Lois had long suffered from Crohn’s and in recent months this horrible disease combined with the side effects from the drug treatments to again cause oral cancer. Combined, these diseases were too much even for her indomitable and positive spirit … and ended her amazing life. Lois was born in Passaic, NJ to Kenneth R. & Gertude “Trudy” Snowe and was educated at the County College of Morris and Arizona State University. She did missionary work in various parts of the U.S., in the Far East, and in the Middle East. Lois later pursued further studies and degrees in Maine. Lois and her beloved husband Brian Mello were married in 1990. Brian’s children became children to Lois, lovingly shared by their mother Annette. She and Lois each became a much loved “sis”, each to the other. Brian & Lois and Mike & Annette shared many happy and memorable times together as the children grew and then grew families of their own. Beginning in 1996, Lois had held office and represented her hometown of Poland plus various of Minot, New Gloucester, Durham, and Auburn in the Maine House for eight years and the Maine Senate for six years. Lois served on a variety of committees in every session and chaired several including Marine Resources, Commission On Eating Disorders, and the Millennium Commission On Hunger & Food Security. In 2006, Lois was named “Guardian of Small Business” by the National Association of Business - Maine. Over a period of two decades, she served at various times on the Maine GOP State Committee, on the Androscoggin GOP Committee, and the Poland GOP Committee. She was Vice-Chair of the Androscoggin GOP Committee at the time of her death. Governor & First Lady LePage visited his old friend the week before Lois died. They were friends years before he ran for Governor. Personal friend for decades, Maine GOP, Chair, Rick Bennett and his wife Karen also visited Lois in her final days. Sen. Susan Collins, Congressman Bruce Poliquin, and former senator, The Hon. Olympia Snowe all issued comments praising Lois’ years of service and contributions to her constituents and to Maine. The Maine Senate and the Maine House both held ceremonies recognizing and honoring the service and contributions of the Hon. Lois Snowe-Mello.Lois was recognized and honored with a minute of silence by the over 500 attendees at the recent Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce Dinner. She was predeceased by her father Kenneth R. Snowe, her husband, Brian Mello, and grand-daughter Ashley Walton. Lois is survived and missed by her mother Trudy (Gertrude Steinbach) Snowe in Beaufort SC, brother Ken Snowe in Pompton Lakes NJ, sister Linda (Snowe) Klotz & Fred in Beaufort SC, her uncle John & Beth Snowe in Ft. Pierce FL, cousins Bob & Eileen Snowe in Port St. Lucie FL, Candy (Snowe) & William Gooch in Limerick ME, Gretchen (Snowe) & George “Chuck” Bly in Osprey FL, John & Darla Snowe in Ft. Pierce FL, Kim (Snowe) & Shawn Macdonald in Auburn ME, Stephen & Lin Snowe in Villa Rica GA, Tom & Pam Snowe in Shapleigh ME, The children she shared with Brian and loved like her own: Tracy & Jay Smith in Otisfield, Bruce & Donna Mello in Millinocket, and Jason & Annemarie Mello) in Auburn. Grandchildren include: Patricio Walton and husband Mirco Soffritti; Natalee, Brianna and Michaela Smith; Kurtis, Taylor, Lauren and Tanner Mello. Great grandchildren: Gryphen Hodsdon; Noa, Naim and Gael Soffritti; and Raven Schoonmaker. Last but not least, Lois is greatly loved and missed by her “Sis”, Annette and husband Mike Coulombe in Norway ME. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to …
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America … CCFA.ORG
Visitation will be held Friday February 5, from 4-8 pm Fortin/AUBURN. Funeral service to follow on Saturday at 11:00 am at St. Philip’s Church/AUBURN. Friends and family are welcome to share memories and offer sympathies at www.thefortingroupauburn.com. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home Cremation and Monument Services 217 Turner St. Auburn, ME 783-8545.
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