Emelie Gionet Obituary (1926 - 2015)

Scarborough- Emelie (Wood) Gionet went to be with her Lord on September 2, 2015. She passed away in the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Scarborough, Maine, where she had resided for the last 6 months in declining health. She died peacefully with her daughter Maurissa by her side and her favorite music playing. She was born in 1926, in Ayer, MA, the daughter of Vernon and Edla (Backstrom) Wood. She attended Ayer schools and went on to complete her training as a registered nurse at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston Soon after she began her nursing career, she met Rudolph Gionet. He was a handsome young man who had served in World War II as a Merchant Marine. He went into the hospital to have his appendix removed and ended up losing his heart as well, to the lovely nurse with the sweet soft voice who cared for him. They were married in 1950 and had three children: a son, Mark, and two daughters, Maurissa and Michele. Emelie loved being a nurse and served in many different professional roles. She was a visiting district nurse, a school and private duty nurse, and worked in surgery and orthopedic units as well. She was a life-long caregiver and her loving concern for others did not end when she hung up her nursing uniform. In retirement the couple moved to St. Petersburg, Florida and had six years of sunshine and relaxation together before Rudy passed away in 1990. After that, Emelie remained in Florida, which she came to think of as home and where she still has many dear friends. Emelie was fortunate to retain a clear and vibrant mind throughout her life. She attributed this in part, to her love of the game of bridge. One of the great pleasures she had in her last months was teaching the game to her triplet grandchildren. Though she was not an investor, she attentively followed the antics of the stock market. She was Democratic in her views and a true Christian in her relations to others. She was able to live independently until the last two years, when declining health required her to enter an assisted living home. Her last six months were spent with her daughter and her daughters family in Scarborough where she was loved and cherished. Emelie was predeceased by her husband, Rudy, her parents, her brother, Howard Wood, her sister, Vera Wood, and her granddaughter, Celeste. She is survived by her son Mark Gionet of Clearwater, Florida, her daughter Maurissa Guibord and her husband Ron of Scarborough, Maine, and her daughter Michele Palmquist of Roanoke, Virginia. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Mark and Nathan Gionet, Tine Gionet, Erika and Alana Palmquist, and Luke, Genevieve, and Danielle Guibord. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Rose Drost, of Essex Junction, Vermont, several brothers- and sisters-in-law, a great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves many dear friends in the St. Petersburg area. Emelie received compassionate end-of-life care from the dedicated staff of VNA Home Health Hospice of Southern Maine for which she and her family remain truly thankful. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, Maine on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 10:00am. Burial arrangements will be made at the discretion of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL, 60607 a charity that Emelie fondly supported or VNA Home Health Hospice, Development Office, P.O. Box 679, Portland, ME 04101, who tenderly cared for Emelie during her last weeks.