Alma Lillian (Chadwick) Vane

Machias

Alma Lillian (Chadwick) Vane , 85, passed away on July 17, 2018 at a Bangor hospital with her loving family by her side after a courageous battle with a genetic disease called Machado-Joseph disease.
She was born on April 19, 1933 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of the late Elbridge Shirley and Sarah (Rickard) Chadwick. When Alma was eight years old, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, along with her mother and three siblings, she was forced to leave the island and come to Machias, Maine, her father's hometown, where his family welcomed them with open arms. It was there that she grew up and graduated from Machias High School in the class of 1951. She enjoyed her years there, participating in music , cheerleading, and other school activities.
In 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, the late Donald E. Vane, and together they raised two children, Kathy and Donnie.
Alma's employment included being a secretary in the law firm of Dunbar & Vose, the Washington County Extension Service in Machias, and the University of Maine in Orono. Also for twenty years she worked as an Ed-Tech and school secretary at Fort O'Brien School in Machiasport.
She loved children and got great joy during her last five years of working for Penquis Cap of Bangor as a foster grandparent at Elm Street School in East Machias. Each of the children that she worked with were very special to “Grammie Vane”.
She was a faithful parishioner of the Holy Name Catholic Church in Machias where she sang in the choir for many years, making many cherished friends.
In recent years she enjoyed watching the Red Sox games on TV.
Alma is survived by her daughter, Kathlyn Beal of Friendship and her partner Richard Lint of Ellsworth ; her son Donald Vane and partner Betty Sue Smith of Machias ; a brother Fred Chadwick and his wife Valerie of Hampton, NH. They were all close to her heart. She will also be missed by her five grandchildren- Kendra Beal , Leighton Beal , Amissa Demmons, Donald Vane II and partner Megan Bell , Adrian Vane and partner Chelsea Oakes; great grandchildren -Jazmin Carver , Taylor Holmes , Hunter Vane, Milania Demmons, Brooklyn Mae Vane , and Ellie Vane. She was a special “Auntie” to her many dear nieces, and nephews. Alma also leaves numerous friends including Pat (Munson) Hall, who has been a special best friend since high school.
In addition to her parents and husband, Alma was predeceased by her dear sister June McDonald and husband Roderick, her dear brother E. Gerry Chadwick, and his wife Ida Mae.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 am Thursday July 26, 2018 at the Holy Name Catholic Church, Machias with Fr. Philip Clement, Celebrant. Following Mass at noon there will be a Celebration of Life at the Lee Pellon Center, Machias .In honor of Alma, give someone a hug. She was a great hugger! In lieu of flowers , memorial donations may be made to: The Ark Animal Shelter, 60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield,ME 04622, or to the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) ,2000 Fembrook Lane North, Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mcclurefamiilyfuneral.com