Joan F (Kenney) Gagnon

Joan Frances Gagnon, 82, of Scarborough, died on Saturday, August 27, with her loving family by her side. She was born on February 10, 1934 in Portland, the daughter of Evelyn (Siewertsen) and William Kenney. Joan, who lived on Munjoy Hill as a youngster, graduated from Portland High School in 1952, where she was voted “Best Looking in her class.” After high school she worked for a time at Day’s Jewelry in downtown Portland. Joan married her devoted husband of 61 and a half years, Alfred (Fred) Gagnon, on February 19, 1955. Together they raised five children. During their marriage they lived in the communities of Gorham, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, and Scarborough, Maine. For a time they spent winters in Boca Raton and Venice, Florida. Fred purchased the Diplomat Motel and Lodge in Old Orchard Beach, and for ten summer seasons Joan ran it during the day and Fred ran it in the evenings. They enjoyed traveling, and visited such places as San Francisco, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and New York City. In 1964 they attended the New York World’s Fair. They also liked going to flea markets and finding great bargains. Joan was a golf widow for many years, but later in life she took up golf herself. She grew to love the sport, and was a member of Riverside Golf Course in Portland. She had a regular “Ladies Day” golf date on Thursdays, and made sure not to schedule any other activities, including doctor appointments, so she could be available to play. Joan always looked forward to spending time with the lady companions she golfed with. In the winter, or when the weather didn’t cooperate and it wasn’t possible to golf, she and the girls played a card game called Hand and Foot, and they all had a lot of fun and laughs playing for pennies. Joan was a great cook who was known for her deep-dish pork pie, toutiere, homemade spaghetti sauce, potato salad, and homemade doughnuts. Other things Joan enjoyed doing included playing the slots at Foxwoods and Oxford casinos, bird watching, and gardening. Joan is survived by her husband, Fred of Scarborough; sister, Patricia Manoogian of Portland; brother, William Kenney of Merritt Island, Florida; brother, Michael Kenney and his wife Barbara of Portland; daughter, Holly Morrill and her husband Jon of Portland; son, Alfred (Fred) Gagnon and his wife Penny of Scarborough; son, Scott of Windham; daughter, Kelley Despres and her husband David, of Honolulu, Hawaii; and son, John Paul Gagnon and his wife Carmela of Portland. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Nicholas and Benjamin Morrill, Jeremy, Erin and Julian Despres, Alisha Gagnon and Maria Gagnon. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at SCU 4 of the Maine Medical Center in Portland for their dedication and the compassionate medical care they gave to Joan during her time there. Visiting hours will be held at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church Street, Westbrook, on Monday, September 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be at St. Pius X Parish, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland on Tuesday, September 6, at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at Saint Hyacinth Cemetery in Westbrook. Online condolences can be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 45 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101.

Joan F (Kenney) Gagnon

February 10, 1934 - August 27, 2016

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