Chrystal Smith Gahagan

    GAHAGAN, Chrystal Smith, 97, CARIBOU, September 13, 2010. There will be no calling hours. Private funeral services for the family will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.

    CARIBOU – Chrystal Smith Gahagan, 97, passed gently into eternity, September 13, 2010, at a Caribou health care facility. She was born January 29, 1913, in Washburn, the daughter of Guilford and Grace (Porter) Smith.
    Chrystal was a graduate of Washburn High School and Gorham Normal School. She taught the fourth grade at Warren School in Westbrook for four years, leaving to join the Maine Department of Health and Welfare, working in foster care out of the Houlton and Caribou offices until her marriage to John E. “Hayes” Gahagan, of Caribou. Her loving husband predeceased her in 2007, after 65 years of devoted marriage. They worked together at Hayes’ Exxon (now the Shell Food Trend) in Caribou for many years. She was well-known for her years of service to the Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, for always out-fishing her husband, for cribbage and bridge tournaments, and for her famous oatmeal bread. She was a big supporter of  local sports teams, faithfully attending her grandchildren's games. She loved the land and the family farm at Castle Hill, walking the fields, and tending the apple orchard. She enjoyed showing her grandchildren her many sports ribbons and awards that she earned as an athlete. Nana and Grampy, as they were known by their grandchildren, were frequently seen on their cross country skis, lawn mowers, ATVs, at the lake, around the Snowmobile Club, and church in Castle Hill. She liked a good joke and always had a story to tell. She loved to knit, hook rugs, make bread and graham cracker pies for her neighbors. She was especially fond of several of the young women who cared for her so kindly at Caribou Nursing Home, especially Bernadette, who was so special to her heart.  She has left a legacy of faithfulness, dedication, hard work, kindness and generosity. She loved much and was loved by many.
    Chrystal was predeceased by her husband; three brothers, Morris, Ransford and Charles; and two sisters, Lucy Simpson and Agatha Downing; and a step-brother, Richard Smith.
    She is survived by a son, Hayes Gahagan and his wife Linda of Castle Hill; five grandchildren, Aron, Ryan, Adam, Joe and Sarah Gahagan; three great-grandchildren; four step-sisters, Catherine Wallace, Nancy Carmichael, Lynn Gagnon of Bangor and Connie Talbot of Topsham.
    There will be no calling hours. Private funeral services for the family will be conducted at a later date.  Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home in Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church for their kindness towards Nana and Grampy during their stay at Leisure Gardens in Presque Isle. Online condolences may be made at www.duncan-graves.com.