Marie G. GINGRAS

SANFORD - Marie G. Normand, 75, 'The Penny Lady of Sanford', passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2005 following a brief illness at her home surrounded by her loving family.She was born in Portland on Nov. 15, 1929, a daughter of Joseph L. Gingras and Geneva Gerry Beety. She attended the Hollis Center School as well as Bonny Eagle School. In 1948 she moved to Sanford to work in the Goodall Textile Mills and worked there until its closing in 1954.It was during this time she met her future husband, Andrew J. Normand and they were married on Jan. 27, 1951 at St. Ignatius Rectory in Sanford. Not being a catholic she converted to catholicism and became a communicant of St. Ignatius Catholic Church.In latter years she was involved in the R.C.I.A. process at Holy Family as well as a member of the Charismatic Prayer Group. She also worked several years at the Hickory Pit Restaurant and finally retired from H.D. Goodall Hospital after 13 years of service.She will best be known as the 'Penny Lady of Sanford' a title she earned over the past 30 years for her involvement, selfless devotion and countless hours spent collecting pennies for Waban Projects, Inc. She would not have been able to do this without the help and support of her husband and family.She is predeceased by a brother, David Beety. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Andrew J. Normand of Sanford; loving children, Rosemary Frank of Sanford, Claire Normand of Sanford, Kathleen Roy of Sanford, Michael Normand of Manchester, N.H., Carolyn Normand of Sanford, Anne Stone of Sanford, and David A. Normand of Shapleigh; three brothers, Jovis Gerry of Old Orchard, George Beety Jr. of Linconville, and Keith Beety of Springvale; three sisters, Georgie Provencher of Florida, Georgia Guertin of Sanford, and Margaret Crowley of Waterville; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.