Sharon Rose (Ives) Fournier

PORTLAND- Sharon Rose Ives Fournier of Portland passed away peacefully on April 8, 2023, at the age of 74.

Sharon was born in Portland Maine at Maine General Hospital to the late Richard and Justina Ives. She was educated in Portland schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1967.

Sharon was a caregiver from a young age. She helped her mother care for her siblings as her father was a merchant marine. As the eldest sister, she was fiercely protective of her siblings and children.

Sharon spent her early years caring for her three children. She was involved with their youth activities and enjoyed watching them in those experiences. She volunteered at Bonny Eagle PTO, Standish Cub Scouts, and Brownie Troop. She was instrumental in starting the People’s Regional Opportunity Program at Ferry Village with the childcare program.

Sharon was always a fan of dancing and enjoyed dances at the University of Maine Portland-Gorham Campus and American Legion Post #17 in Portland. She enjoyed creating art in high school and took classes later in life at Portland Adult Education. Her favorite was abstract art. She continued that passion at Park Danforth with many painting activities. Sharon was an avid reader and would read a book a week. She enjoyed cooking for her friends at Park Danforth but loved the company even more. She loved playing cards on Friday nights with her friends and was known as the champion of Left Right Center.

Sharon’s sense of family and humor was evident as she was a team player and took one for the team being forced to ride along with her mother and aunts on their daily adventures to the Maine Mall for lunch in the food court, shopping, and going on excursions to the coast of Maine. Sharon was full of wit and had a spicy streak to her. Her comments would always come at the best times to break up a family disagreement.

Sharon enjoyed visits from family, especially her grandchildren who referred to her lovingly as “Nonna”. She always had special treats and trinkets for them. Much to her children’s frustration, Sharon would be caught encouraging her grandchildren to act out.

Sharon was preceded by her loving parents, brother-in-law Paul Erickson and her longtime companion Earle Bornheimer.

She is survived by her three children: Catherine Conrod (Dan Conrod), Geanna Thibault (Rodney Thibault) and Charles Fournier (Angela Fournier). She was a grandmother to Patricia, Stephene, Maya, Ryan, and Max. She was a great-grandmother to Alexis and Arryanna. Sharon is also survived by her sister Jeanette Ives Erickson (Alasdair Conn), brothers Richard Ives (Rich Bryant) and Gregory Ives (Deanna Ives) and sister Judith Ives (Alan Hoffert). She is also survived by her Aunts Jeannette Breggia, Arlene DiMillo and Uncle John DiMillo, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she loved deeply.

Sharon faced many obstacles in her life and battled with her own pain, none more evident than the passing of her mother Justina. Sharon lived her life as she wanted, often to the dismay of others. Sharon will always be known to have Love, Compassion and Humanity.  

The family is grateful for the services of Catholic Charities Maine which helped her age in place. She will be sadly missed by the community of Park Danforth who cared for her dearly.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated  10:00 AM Saturday April 22,2023 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sharon’s memory to the Catholic Charities Maine, Independent Support Services, PO Box 10660, Portland, ME 04104 or Park Danforth 777 Stevens Avenue Portland, ME 04103

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