Ervette J. (Jordan) Strange

Ervette “Eppie” Strange, 90

PORTLAND - Ervette “Eppie” Strange, 90, of Windham died at Maine Medical Center on Friday, January 12, 2018.  She was born on March 10, 1927, the second daughter of Fred B. Jordan, Sr., and Helen Goff Jordan, and one of seven children.  She graduated from Windham High School in 1944, when she delivered her salutatorian speech on the scientific and medical advances in post-WWII America. 

On a blind date Eppie met Neal Strange, who had served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps . They were married in 1947 and began their adventure together.  Neal and Eppie settled in the Stroudwater section of Portland where they raised a family of one girl and five boys. For most of that time they lived at 1871 Congress Street in the house that her father-in-law, Dr. Clifford Strange, had moved from the Stroudwater Flying Field which he had established in 1929 and which later became the Portland International Jetport.

Eppie was an energetic, devoted mother and an active member of the Stroudwater community, well-known for her initiative and willingness to tackle almost anything. She loved gardening, sewing, and baking, creating beautifully decorated cakes. She served on countless committees at her children’s schools and was an active long-time member of the Stroudwater Baptist Church Ladies Guild.  In later years she worked outside the home, and particularly enjoyed her job in the office of Drs. George and Charles Geer.

In 1982, Neal and Eppie moved to Crescent Lake in Raymond, where they enjoyed flying over the Lakes Region in their 1946 Aeronca Champion seaplane. Their dock was a recognized seaplane base, with a bright orange wind sock that Eppie created billowing in the breeze. The lakeside home was a wonderful gathering place for their ever-expanding family with its countless activities and natural beauty.  Eppie served on the Town of Raymond Planning Board for a number of years.

They left Raymond and moved to Windham in 2008.  Eppie soon joined the Cross Roads Garden Club where she made many friends.  She also spent countless hours knitting and crocheting for her fourteen great-grandchildren.

Eppie was predeceased by her husband, Neal; her son, Glenn Strange; her brothers, Fred Jordan, Jr., Malcolm Jordan, Philip Jordan, and Dana Jordan; and her sister, Arlene Tyler.  She is survived by her sister, Patricia Jacobs and her husband Carl of Euharlee, GA; her sister-in-law, Beth Chaves of Virginia Beach, Virginia; her daughter, Gail Strange Thompson and her husband, W. Douglas Thompson of Portland and Oak Bluffs, MA; daughter-in-law Kathy Kelly Strange of Portland; son Keith Strange and his wife Micki McLain Strange of Lincoln; son Eric Strange and his wife Lena Violette Strange of Westbrook; son Mark Strange and his wife Holly Hatch Strange of Ridgeland, SC; and son Joel Strange and his wife Lisa DeCesere Strange of Lovell. 

She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and their families:  Adam D. Thompson, Nathan A. Thompson, Aaron N. Strange, Anna K. Strange, Christopher M. Strange, Daniel C. Strange, Lynn M. Wiley, Marie E. Gilligan, Monica A. Barrieau, Renee N. Farnham, Joshua R. Strange, Jaysen Strange, Heath Strange, and Clifford Strange.

A family graveside service will be held at the time of her burial this spring in Riverside Cemetery in Raymond.

Memorial gifts may be sent to: Town of Windham, Clothes Closet and Food Pantry, 377 Gray Road, Windham, ME  04062

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