Ida Mae Rancourt

WINTERPORT - Ida Mae (Cunningham) Rancourt, 86, passed away July 2, 2019 at a Bangor healthcare facility. Ida was born October 20, 1932 in Fairplain, West Virginia, daughter of Leander Paul and Phoebe Ellen (Harmon) Cunningham, of West Virginia.

Ida attended Ripley schools and graduated from Ripley High School in 1951. As an independent young woman, much ahead of her time, she left the farm out on “Sycamore” and moved in town to the local boarding house in Ripley. She was employed at the local Rexall Store and also cleaned homes to support herself. One day, a dark haired, blue eyed man who was in town working construction, entered the store and noticed the brunette beauty with the dimples working there. Harry and Ida soon began dating and were married on March 19, 1955. Ida and Harry then headed north to Winterport, Maine, where they made their home up on the Rancourt Road near the family farm. Soon after their family began to grow and they were raising all their daughters. Ida worked at Burn’s Orchards in Winterport. Later she was employed for many years at Bangor Shoe Factory and Emple Knitting Mill in Brewer. Ida was an active member of the St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, including the Daughters of Isabella organization. She was always involved in church suppers and fundraisers. Ida also was an active member of the Riverside Riders Snowmobile Club. Over the years she acted as secretary, treasurer, MSA reporter and kitchen help. The clubhouse is now renamed the “Harry J. Rancourt, Jr. Clubhouse” in memory of Harry after he passed in 2007, Ida liked that.

Ida was predeceased by her parents and seven siblings, Luther, French, Rudy, Paul Jr., Forney, Pauline and Ethel, all from West Virginia. She was also predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Harry J. Rancourt, Jr. Ida is survived by her four daughters and their families, Rhea (Rancourt) Crossman and husband, Stanley, of Winterport, Resa (Rancourt) Crosby and husband, Lawrence, of Milford, Renee (Rancourt) O’Donald and husband, Rick of Newburgh, and Rachelle (Rancourt) Pattershall and husband, Chris of Hampden. She has six grandchildren, Brandi Gillie and husband, Matthew of Hampden, Brianne Parlin of Frankfort, Joshua O’Donald of Boston, Mass., Caleb O’Donald of Newburgh, Kaden and Lucas Pattershall of Hampden. She has two great grandchildren, Katie Moody and Tyler Gillie of Hampden. She is also survived by many other nieces and nephews in Maine and West Virginia.

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff at the Bangor Nursing and Rehab Center in Bangor. We can’t say enough how much it meant to all of her daughters that you took such good care of our beloved Ida.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Avenue, Hampden. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday July 10, 2019, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 435 S Main St, Winterport, ME 04496. Conversation and refreshments will be held at the Columbian Hall immediately following the Mass, Wednesday. Private interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Winterport. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com