MARS HILL, Maine – Laurine J. York, 90, passed away Monday, August 28, 2017, following a brief stay at the Mars Hill healthcare facility, while surrounded by family.
She was born March 23, 1927, in Washburn, the daughter of Laurel and Arline (Wilder) Thompson. Laurine grew up in Washburn and graduated from Washburn High School. She went on to earn a degree from Colby College and taught for one year before marrying Thomas R. York, Jr. Together they would raise seven children and share many wonderful years together, including the family camp at East Grand Lake.
Laurine was also an avid Red Sox fan and would rarely miss a game. She was a lifetime member of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association, a forty year plus member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International, and a member of the Central Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens. She was also a long time attendee of East Ridge Union Church in Mars Hill.
Once her family was grown, Laurine continued her education and received her Masters Degree from the University of Southern Maine. She returned to teaching and retired in 1992 having been principal at Fort St. Elementery School for S.A.D. #42 and touched many young lives over her time there.
Laurine’s most precious thing in life was her family, and she treasured every moment they had together. Laurine is survived by her children: Susan Stevenson and husband Ford of Wayne, John York and wife Betsy of Mars Hill, Mary Fletcher and husband Greg of Waterville, Jane LaBounty and husband Mike of Spring Hope, NC, Joan Carlson and husband John of Mars Hill, Tim York of Portage Lake, and Robbie York of Mars Hill, grandchildren: Tyler Stevenson and wife MacKenzie, Tom Stevenson and wife Ashley, Joe Stevenson and wife Alanna, Jeremy York and wife Poppy, Elizabeth Brewer and husband Brennan, Hannah Fletcher, Ryan LaBounty, Angela Drysdale and husband Scott, Ben Allen and wife Lisa, Craig Allen and wife Betsy, Tim Carlson, Logan York and wife Jocelyn, Ethan York and Wilder York, great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Isaac, Hadley, Hannah, Ford, Evelyn, Lydia and Olena Stevenson; Olivia and Gracie York; Megan, Hailey and Lilly Brewer; Keigan and Maclaine Drysdale; Marley, Elizabeth and Tristan Allen; and Tripp and Laken York. She also leaves behind two sisters, Anna Bragg of Levant, Loretta Staples of Timonium, MD, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and her special friends, Clara Hussey and the morning coffee girls, Arthur Lunn and Erin Johnson. In addition to her parents, Laurine was predeceased by her husband Thomas R. York Jr., a brother John Thompson, and two brothers-in-law Robert Staples and Ronnie Bragg.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Joanne Bell, Paulette Billings, and the staff at the Aroostook Health Center of Mars Hill for all their loving care.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at the Central Aroostook High School gymnasium with Pastors Leroy Frost and Lawrence Beals officiating. Following the service, a private interment for the family took place at King’s Grove Cemetery, Mars Hill. Also following the service, the family asked that you join them at the Central Aroostook High School cafeteria for a time of refreshment and remembrance.
Those who wish to remember Laurine in a special way may make gifts in her memory payable to the York Family Scholarship in c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and guest book at: dunnfuneral.com
