Edna (Landry) Cressey

Edna L. Cressey, 90 PORTLAND â€“ Edna (Landry) Cressey died peacefully on January 25, 2014. She was born in Westbrook, Maine, May 4, 1923, the daughter of Joseph and Eva (Pinette) Landry. Edna graduated from Westbrook High School in 1941. She married Philo Burton Cressey on July 3, 1948 and moved to Gorham where they lived until their retirement. In her early years, Edna worked at the McClellanâ€™s Five and Dime in Westbrook. Knowing she needed further secretarial skills she took night classes at Portland Adult Education held at Portland High School. During World War II, she worked in the payroll department at the South Portland Shipyard. She then started a 30+ year career for S.D. Warren Paper company beginning as a paper sorter, working up to purchasing agent . Her skills followed her into retirement where she kept impeccable files and records. Upon retirement she and Burt moved to Englewood, Florida and spent over 20 wonderful years in the Florida sunshine. In their later years, Burt and Edna moved to the Woods at Canco in Portland where Edna made many friends. She started a Tripoley card group at Canco which now has two groups of women that play the game faithfully every Wednesday and Friday. She was an avid fan and supporter of the Presumpscot River Bottom Boys of which Burt was an original member. They went on many trips to Europe with the group and their many friends. During their rendition of â€œThe Saints Go Marching Inâ€, Edna could be seen twirling a checkered umbrella and strutting to the music. Edna loved eating lobster and hosted annual Memorial Day and Labor Day lobster bakes for family. She was a wonderful cook and lifelong craftsperson. Her family and friends are the lucky owners of Ednaâ€™s afghans, crocheted items and ceramic pieces. Clearly Ednaâ€™s memory will live on in all the items she created. Edna was predeceased by her husband Burt, her parents, and a brother Edgar. Her survivors include daughter Pamela Meader and husband, Robert, daughter Jill Marston and husband Rick, and son Gary Cressey and partner Steve Plant. She is also survived by grandchildren Lindsay Ross and her husband Brian, Suzanne Berthiaume and husband Aaron, and Derek Meader and his fiance, Kara Travis; four great- grandchildren Madison and Teagan Ross, Aidan Berthiaume, and Scarlett Meader; a sister Muriel Audet and a brother, Louis Landry. Visiting hours will be from 1 to 3 PM Tuesday at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St. Westbrook, followed by a memorial service at 3 PM with Philip Shearman officiating. Interment will be private at a later date. On line condolences may be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Dr. Klayman and Hannah, Marie Riddle and her staff for their compassionate care of Edna. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 615 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Shriners Hospital, Burn Unit, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114