Arlene M. (Severance) Ayers

Arlene M. Ayers (Westbrook) Arlene Ayers, 86, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on March 14, 2020 after a brief illness. She was born November 9, 1933 in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine to Kenneth and Lena (Andrews) Severance. As a young child, Arlene and her family moved to Portland settling on Munjoy Hill. Arlene graduated from Portland High School in 1952. While living on Munjoy Hill and attending Portland High School, Arlene met Robert L. Ayers Sr. Arlene and Bob were high school sweethearts and married on October 9, 1952. They began their family soon after their marriage. Arlene and Bob initially settled on Munjoy Hill where they began raising their family on Waterville Street, moved briefly to Scarborough, returned to Munjoy Hill and then they moved to Westbrook in 1987 where Arlene resided until her passing. Arlene was a homemaker raising six children during the day and worked a few evening jobs at Verrill and Dana and C.H. Robinson. Arlene was very fond and proud of her hometown of Dover-Foxcroft. Arlene and Bob and their children spent summers at a tiny camp on Branns Mill Pond. In 1981, Arlene and Bob purchased their own camp on Branns Mill Pond where they would spend the majority of their summers until Bob’s passing in 2009. Arlene was happiest when she was surrounded by her family at camp.

She was an avid gardener. She had an extensive wildflower patch that she tended to at camp and numerous flower beds around her home that always produced beautiful flowers. She especially enjoyed watching the birds as they would visit one of her many feeders – her personal favorite was the hummingbirds and there quick darts in and out of the feeders. She was an excellent storyteller and could easily recount “camp stories” from years past which were always good for a laugh. She would tell stories of the families who lived in the Branns Mill Pond area, her childhood home atop Norton Hill and she was always quick to point out the one-room schoolhouse in South Dover Mills where she began her education. Arlene loved the Christmas season. She would often drive up to camp and gather up various evergreen clippings and make hand-crafted wreaths to send out to family. She would spend days making different cookies, pies and fudge for Christmas gathering. She was a great cook. Arlene would always remember to send out a birthday card with thoughtful messages to all her family. She never missed a birthday!

Arlene was predeceased by her mother, Lena, in 1998, her brother, Earl Sawyer, in 1998 and her brother, Harvey Sawyer, in 2000. She is also predeceased by her beloved husband, Bob, in 2009.

Arlene is survived by her six children, Robert L. Ayers Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of Vail, Arizona, Roderick Ayers and his wife, Sandra, of Warren, Rhode Island, Karen Fusco and her husband, Anthony (Tony), of Portland, Brian Ayers and his wife, Pauline, of Mechanic Falls, Darryl Ayers and his wife, Kelly, of Newburgh and Duane Ayers and his wife, Janice, of Westbrook. Arlene is survived by two brothers, Clifford Severance and his wife, Wilma, of Milo and Ernest Severance of Andover. Arlene is survived by her 13 cherished grandchildren, Christopher Ayers and his wife, Julie, of Jackson, Wisconsin, Amy Ayers-Ortiz of Donovan, Illinois, Sarah McCune and her husband, Frank, of Tucson, Arizona, Joshua Ayers and his wife, Leslie, of Wells, Allyson Ayers of East Providence, Rhode Island, Anthony (Toby) Fusco of Epping, New Hampshire, Sean Fusco and Brady Fusco both of Portland, Kayla Fusco and fiancé Nicholas of Windham, Charles Hill of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ashley Ayers of Saco, Emily Ayers and fiancé Max of Standish and Erin Ayers and fiancé Corey of Westbrook. Arlene is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren, Henry, Louis, Truman, Paige, Briscoe, Ashlin and Dorie, and she was eagerly  awaiting the arrival of her 8th great-grandchild in June 2020. Arlene is also survived by her beloved Papillion, CeCe, who provided great joy and companionship to her for many years. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Maine Medical Center and Springbrook Nursing Home for all the loving care they provided Arlene over the last few months.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arlene’s memory may be made to Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, an organization near and dear to her heart. 217 Landing Road Westbrook, Maine 04092

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