Patricia Sawyer

Patricia Ruth Sawyer, 90, retired educator and longtime resident of New Gloucester, died peacefully March 25, 2023 at the Gorham House in Gorham, Maine. Pat was born April 14, 1932 in Lewiston, daughter of Oscar Louis and Ruth Healy Sawyer. She and her siblings Dorothy (Dot), Richard, James and Duane spent their youth in that city, except for one year spent in West Bowdoin on grandfather Virgil Healy’s farm. Pat attended Auburn schools, graduating from Edward Little High School. She received her degree in education from Farmington State Teachers College. Her first year of teaching was at Isle au Haut. The following 37 years of dedication to the profession that she loved were spent teaching in elementary schools in Lewiston and Auburn. She had a great interest in American Indian history and culture which she shared with her students. The Sawyer Family saw a dream come true when they moved to a farm in New Gloucester in 1955. Vegetable gardens, apple orchards, ice skating, skiing, kite flying, sledding and hunting for newts in the pond gave Pat the opportunity to invite friends and family to the farm. Sister and close friend Dot worked together with Pat to make the farm a happy and welcoming place. Pat was involved in a number of community activities. She volunteered where she saw the need. Many summers were spent as a camp counselor, swimming and canoeing instructor and church bible school teacher. The church was an important part of Pat’s life, participating in the choir, volunteering as a church officer, even working as a carpenter on the church addition. After retirement Pat was a reliable volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. She was a member of the Maine Education Association and the National Education Association, and the recipient of educational and citizenship awards. Pat was predeceased by her parents, brothers Richard, James and Duane and foster sister Martina Wilkinson. She is survived by sister Dorothy Sawyer, a resident of Seaside Rehab Center, Portland ME; sisters-in-law Christine Sawyer, Gorham ME and Elaine Sawyer, Lynden WA; nieces Margaret Meyers (Bob), Bath ME and Karen Marsalek (John), Minneapolis MN; nephews John Sawyer (Rhonda) and David Sawyer, Gorham ME, and Michael Sawyer (Lisa), Edmonds WA. Although Pat never married, she referred to Christopher and Andrew Logan and Mark McGowan, the sons of dear friends, as “my three boys”. The family appreciates the care and attention they paid to Pat over the past few years. A memorial service for family will be held later in the spring.

Patricia Sawyer

April 14, 1932 - March 25, 2023

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