All Obituaries

Christopher “Chris” Chapman Branch, age 67, passed away on May 7, 2022,  after more than a year of battling cancer. Through Chris’s fight with Cancer, he upheld the most admirable strength as this disease captured him. Throughout his last year, four months and seven days, Chris smiled, worked as the Portland Public Works Director, loved his family and friends, fulfilled his passion as a swim official and consumed his free time camping with his wife in their fifth...

Diane Lynn Babcock, 58, passed away at home on May 6, 2022. She was born March 24, 1964, the daughter of Robert and Cecile Babcock Sr. She grew up in Chelsea where she graduated in 1983 from Gardiner Area High School. Diane moved to Portland after graduation to a group home on Avon St. She moved to the Ingraham House on High Street before moving to Munjoy Hill. There she lived for 28 years and raised her daughter, Wendy Diane Babcock. She lived on Oxford Street until her passing. Diane had...

FALMOUTH - Mary Jane Webster, 97, a resident of Oceanview in Falmouth passed away peacefully at her Falmouth House residence on May 4, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Jane was born on August 7, 1924 in Norristown, PA, a daughter of Joseph Ralph Shuler and Ruth (Potter) Shuler.  She was a graduate of Norristown High School.  Jane and her husband Woody lived in Westbury, NY where they raised their family.  While she took on the responsible of the home, she also worked...

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, Vito L. Caiazzo III, 67, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022 from a lifelong illness. He was born on April 7, 1955 to Maria (Grippa) and Vito Caiazzo Jr. in Portland. He grew up on Munjoy Hill until his family moved to Falmouth where he attended Falmouth High School. After he went to study architecture at Wentworth Institute in Boston, he returned to Portland to marry his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Noyes, in 1977. He and Kathleen had two children;...

Rachelle Lynn Leavitt, 40, of Scarborough, passed away unexpectedly due to medical conditions on May 2, 2022. Rachelle grew up in Portland, a town she loved and never left. She worked as a housekeeper for several years. Rachelle enjoyed spending time with her children and family. She loved singing karaoke with her them. She had the biggest heart and was such a caring individual. Rachelle was very protective of her family and friends! She had lots of friends and made them easily. She had a...

Marilyn Prescott Zanca, 93, passed away on April 29, 2022 at her home.  Calling hours will be held at A. T.  Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland on Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 9:00AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM. The family has requested a private burial.  Marilyn’s family would like to extend special thanks to Trish, her caregiver, as well as Josh and Jackie of Northern Lights Hospice.

Amesbury- Mary Lou Ishihara (Holt) passed away the morning of Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at the Maplewood Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, in Amesbury Massachusetts. She was born in Portland, Maine, on May 19, 1936, to William Elliot Holt and Terena Elizabeth Holt (Griffin). On July 28, 1955, Mary Lou married Mervyn Manaku Ishihara, in Portland, Maine. Other than brief stints in Hawaii and Massachusetts, Mary Lou was a proud resident of Maine. There was nothing she enjoyed more than her...

Robert D. Patchell Obituary PORTLAND – It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Robert D. Patchell (Bob/Patch) on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022 in his sleep. He was born December 23, 1962, the first son of Donald E. Patchell & Patricia (Donovan) Nevers at MMC. Bob grew up in the Nason’s Corner area of Portland, attended local schools, and graduated from Deering High School in 1981.  He excelled in football & wrestling at DHS and ice...

Gorham- Richard E. Brown, 83, passed away on April 17, 2022 in his home. He was born in Portland on August 27, 1938. He was the son of John and Louise (Punsky) Brown. Richard attended Portland Schools. He was most proud of serving in the Navy while aboard Aircraft Carrier the USS Lake Champlain. He also was a lifetime member of the Amvets. Richard married the love of his life, Mary, on September 11, 1965. Richard worked for national distributers, Humpty Dumpty, and US Security in St....

PORTLAND – Raye S. Mathews, 86, of Portland, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2022 with his loving wife by his side. Born on September 28, 1935, in Wilson’s Beach, Campobello Island, N.B. Raye grew up in Portland and also spent many summers with his grandparents in Southport, Maine.  He enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served honorably while stationed in Japan and Hawaii. On November 20, 1959 he married the love of his life Nancy R. Holmes. They shared 62 wonderful...