Edna L. Fyrberg

Edna L. Fyrberg, a resident of Gorham, died peacefully after a brief illness at Gorham House on March 3, 2023. She was 92 years old. Edna was born on June 23, 1930, the eldest of 6 children of Alcide A. and Estelle M. (Turgeon) Poirier. She was raised in Ipswich, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school, while working as an ice cream scooper, she met the love of her life, Carl. He offered her a ride home “and can you believe I went with him!” and they eventually married and started a family. They had three sons in Ipswich and then moved to Gorham, Maine in the 1950s after buying a dairy farm. They ran the farm for 15 years, having 2 daughters in their time there. Edna was a hard worker, cleaning the milk room every day as a way to help Carl run the farm. Many family meals were hosted in the large farm kitchen, relatives coming from other states to visit and help on the farm often. After they sold their farm, they moved closer to town. Edna eventually worked in the local school cafeterias, at White Rock School and Gorham High School for many years. She loved her job there. Edna’s first language was French, and “joie de vivre” explains her personality so well. Throughout the years she gardened, sewed, quilted, baked and ran a household, always looking at the sunny side of life. She was a wicked whistler and singer, and you couldn’t help but feel happy when she was around. She never met a stranger and had many friends. She was silly, sassy and “spicy in all the right places,” often asking, “Don’t I make life interesting?” She loved unconditionally and had a knack for making you feel like the most important person in the world. Fresh-baked cookies could always be found on the kitchen counter at Meme’s house! Edna was proud of her family and the fact everyone kept in touch. This was so very important to her! Every Saturday the kids would come over for coffee and talking around the kitchen table. She was such an easy-to-please person and preferred to live a simple life. She was happy watching birds at her birdfeeder and marveling at the beauty of nature around her, going to bean suppers, and occasionally going for a Sunday drive with Carl to get an ice cream cone or to visit one of their kids. For years Edna and Carl traveled to Pennsylvania to visit the Amish country. Edna was predeceased by her husband, Carl and a son, Eric. She is survived by son Ross and his wife, Stephanie, son Paul, daughter Lisa and her companion Bruce, daughter Sara and her husband, Craig; her brother, Jack Poirier; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren as well as other family members. The family would like to thank so many people who were important, especially in the last year of her life. First of all, her neighbors on Hillview Road, who never hesitated to help. We would also like to thank the staff at the Inn at Village Square, staff at Gorham House, and Hospice of Southern Maine. Finally, we would like to thank Jeri, who took wonderful care of our mother, keeping her busy and making sure she was safe. Per Edna’s wishes, a private family service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County. Edna was very involved in their programs throughout her life.

Edna L. Fyrberg

June 23, 1930 - March 3, 2023

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