Lorena M. “Renie” Pearson, 78, of Waldoboro, died Oct. 19 at home surrounded by her family after an extended illness.
Born in Portland, June 26, 1932, she was the daughter of Lyman E. and Iola Harris Daly. Growing up in South Portland, she was educated in local schools and was a graduate of South Portland High School.
Renie’s first job as a teen was cleaning stalls at T-Ledge Stables in South Portland. This experience began a love of horses and all animals which she nurtured throughout her life.
September 26, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert W. Pearson.
While her husband served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, she supported the troops and families by serving as President of the USMC Wives Club, and also started the “Toys for Tots” program in South Portland.
Upon her husband’s return from military duty, she moved with him to Orono, where he continued his education at the University of Maine, and she worked as Pediatric Assistant in Bangor.
After her husband’s graduation from “U. Maine,” they moved to New York in pursuit of his employment. They later returned to Maine, where he began employment with Sylvania in Waldoboro. Three years later, the family moved into their home where they have resided the past 50 years.
While raising their two children, Renie was a stay-at-home mom. She loved being caretaker of her family and was wonderful at her calling. When the children became school age, she followed them back to school and became a teacher’s aide/secretary at the Union School for 22 years. She coached girls’ basketball, served as a Cadet Girl Scout Leader and loved her students. Always protective of her students, sometimes after practice or a game, if a parent or relative were unable to attend, Renie would pile them into her car and be sure they all arrived home safely.
Her love of horses was borne out through her interest in Harness Racing. With a group of friends, in what they called “The Syndicate,” she at one time owned two race horses. For many years she boarded horses, and was passionate in her support of the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
Besides her loving husband of 57 years, she is survived by her daughter, Stephanie P. Laite and husband John of Union; son, Scott D. Pearson and wife Aime’e of Jefferson; as well as several cousins.
No visiting hours will be held. Funeral service 2 p.m., Sun., Oct. 24 at the Orff’s Corner Community Church, Rt. 32, North Waldoboro. The Rev. Robert Bellows will officiate. Private interment will be in Orff’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Waldoboro EMS, P.O. Box J, Waldoboro, ME 04572; American Cancer Society, New England Division, Inc., One Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086-1240 or the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 108F Old York Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08620.
To leave online condolences, please visit obituaries at www.bchfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.
