Mary Jane Irish

Mary Jane Armstrong Irish, a longtime resident of Gorham passed away at Freeport Place on Monday March 14, 2016 following a brief decline of health. She was born on November 5, 1926, to Alvah A. Armstrong and Florence Cook Armstrong. Mary Jane attended Machias Elementary School until moving to South Windham at the age of 13 and graduated from Gorham High School in 1945. She married Millard F. Irish on August 2, 1947 and shared 42 wonderful years in the home they built on South Street. Mary Jane was active in many town clubs and committees and was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a longtime member of the First Parish Congregational Church, Gorham Garden Club and was active in campfire from a young girl to council member and a 20 year participant in the USM LifeLine and attended the 1918 Club first with her husband Millard and then by herself. She returned to school and obtained her CNA at 40 years of age and worked at the Osteopathic Hospital as a private care giver/companion for many years. Mary Jane is predeceased by her parents, 2 infant brothers, husband Millard in 1988 and son, Alvah in 2011. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her only sibling, Joann and husband Dan Dearborn of Saco, her daughters and sons-in-law, Jill and Ken Pease of Westbrook, Jane and Keith Meggison of Gorham, a daughter-in-law Nancy Irish of Gray, 5 grandchildren, Jody Pease, Jamie Bryant, Ryan and Shaun Irish and Andrew Meggison, 5 great grandchildren, Madison and McKinley Bryant, Paisley Irish and Peirce and Carson Irish, 2 nieces and 1 nephew to whom she was affectionately called Aunt Nanie, one cousin and her husband, Kay and Russell Riggs of Winthrop and one remaining sister-in-law, Althea Irish of Gorham and a large number of Irish nieces and nephews. Mary Jane will be remembers as a loving, supportive sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother, a talented seamstress and mitten knitter for all. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Gorham. Memorial donations in Mary Jane’s honor may be made to the Cancer Community Center, 778 Main St., South Portland, ME 04106.

Mary Jane Irish

November 5, 1926 - March 14, 2016

Explore Tributes &
Upcoming Services