MARION (SMITH) GRANDCHAMP – PHOTO

ORONO – Marion Maxine (Smith) Grandchamp, 83, beloved wife of Robert Joseph Grandchamp, went home to our Lord March 9, 2017 after passing away peacefully at EMMC. Marion was born at home on her parents’ farm in Mars Hill, Maine March 16, 1933, the eighth child of Harold William and Geneva (McDougal) Smith, both deceased.

She grew up in a family of nine on a large potato farm in Mars Hill, Aroostook County (“The County”), Maine. A graduate of the former Aroostook Central Institute, Mars Hill, Maine, Marion went to school at Eastern Maine General Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1954. Marion worked at Presque Isle General Hospital for several years until she met, married, and followed her husband around the world while he flew and instructed in jet fighters and she raised their three sons. Marion met her husband back when Presque Isle Air Force Base in “The County” was active in the North American Air Defense Command. Marion spent 24 years as a dedicated Air Force Wife bearing and raising three sons. A resident of Orono, she was very active in the Orono Woman’s Club and was one time Regent of Esther Eayres Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. These activities and residence in England for a year led to an intense interest in antiques and family genealogies, her two favorite long time hobbies. While Marion enjoyed her home, research, antiques and travel, her three sons, two daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren were the joy of her life, and they took up most of her time. Having been part of a very close-knit farm community, she was naturally very family oriented.

Marion is survived by her husband, Robert of Orono; three sons, Garth Grandchamp and his wife, Anne of Cumberland, Maine, and their four children, Jacob, Caroline, Nathaniel, and Jane; Brett Grandchamp of Orono; Mark Grandchamp and his wife, Dianne of Veazie, Maine and their three daughters, Gabrielle, Marissa, and Olivia. Marion is also survived by one sister, Barbara Ilene (Smith) Hotham of Blaine, Maine; one brother, Herschel A. Smith of Mars Hill, Maine. She was predeceased by five brothers, Philip Arnold, Ralph Owen, Hubert Duncan, Stewart Leveret, Attle Melvin and by one sister, Margaret Opal (Smith) Cushman.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A funeral service will be held 2 pm. Thursday, March 16, 2017, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Canon Marquerite AH Steadman, rector officiating. The family invites relative and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, immediately following the funeral Thursday. Spring Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Bennoch Road, Orono. Those who wish to remember Marion in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Children’s Miracle Network, C/O EMHS Foundation, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.