Evelyn Rachel Gassett , 97, passed way peacefully on December 4, 2025 at The Marshwood Center in Lewiston.

She was born in Riley, Maine on November 8 ,1928, the daughter of Edward Charles Courteau and Juliet Matilda Perron Courteau.

She grew up in Chisholm, Livermore and Jay. She married Charles Hershel Gassett on January 12, 1946. They lived in the Wilton area for many years . They moved to South Portland in 1962 .

‘Home’ was at 64 Wainwright Circle for 37 years from 1984 to 2021. The moment you pulled into her driveway, you knew you were in a safe place.

Fresh laundry on the line, flower pots brightening the porch, and bird feeders filled to the brim created a place where no welcome sign was ever needed. Everyone was welcome.

Inside the tidy little kitchen was the sweetest and kindest woman there ever was: Evelyn Rachel Gassett — known as Ma, Grammie, Evie, or Miss Evelyn, depending on how she touched your life.

She doted on every visitor, offering whatever she had, even when it wasn’t much. Coffee, toast, beef stew, chop suey… and for the grandchildren, she kept “secret treats” tucked into canisters in her cupboards. She made sure no one ever left hungry.

She loved the simple joys of life — listening to country music, playing her late son Danny’s recordings, bird-watching, tending to her flowers in the spring and summer, and settling in for her daily 12:30–1:30 p.m. program, The Young and the Restless.

She loved a beautiful sunset. She’d call her daughter, Debbie, to remind her to go see it before it was gone.

She appreciated God’s creation and thanked him daily making sure not to fall asleep while saying her nightly prayer. She asked him to take care of her family because she loved each one of them dearly.

Losing her two sons, Danny and Charlie, was a wound that never healed, yet she continued on.

Leaving her home at age 93 was difficult too, but again, she continued on.

Whatever life handed her, she somehow made the best of it. She never allowed challenges to rob her of joy.

Everyone she met became a friend. She made many during her four years at Marshwood, where she was a ray of light in a world that can often feel dark.

She cherished the old-fashioned donuts and coffee that her grandson Todd and granddaughter Crystal faithfully brought her. They, along with her son Alan and daughters Debbie and Sally, cared for her and loved her deeply. She adored all of her grandchildren and was, for many of them, like a second mother.

Her legacy of kindness, generosity, and unwavering love will live on through each of them — and through all who were blessed to know.

Preceding her in death was her loving husband, Charles Gassett in 1995, her sons Charles Gassett in 2019, her son Danny Gassett in 2012, her brother Gerard, sisters Yvette Estes and Avis Johnson.

She is survived by her children Alan Gassett of Saco, Debbie & Mike Barnes of Old Orchard Beach, Sally & David Roberts of Winthrop and her remaining sibling Theresa Besson of Chesterville .

Grandchildren Chuck & Terry Gassett, Teena & Roni Galik, Tammy & Scot Gagne, Crystal & Todd Emery, Justin Gassett, Brandon & Kate Gassett, Shyanne & Justin Smith, Brandi & Jay Antos, Brooke Otterson, Tara Gassett & Devin Plummer, Jesse & Delia Roberts, Ben & Bree Roberts, Kayla Sue Roberts, Sam & Samantha Roberts.

Great grandchildren, Shane Gassett, Alec Gagne, Lucas Mains, Wyatt, Hailey and Ruby Antos, Bianca & Troy Otterson, Ashley & Zach Lewis , Jaylin Gassett, David Plummer, Addie Plummer, Noah Emery, Logan Smith, and Theo & Isla Gassett.

The family would like to thank the staff at Marshwood for the care they gave her over the years.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Brooklawn Memorial Park.