Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy
Paul Arthur Clark, 88, was born Nov. 18, 1937, in Springvale and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Jan. 23, 2026, at his home in Orange Park, FL.
Paul’s early years shaped the values of hard work, loyalty, and devotion to family that guided him throughout his life. He was the eldest of five children born to Mabel and Walter Clark Jr., and the only brother to four sisters – twins Jean and June, and Mabel and Suzanne.
Paul attended Sanford High School and began a 20-year career in the Navy in 1955. He earned multiple awards and promotions and retired as a chief petty officer. Following his military service, Paul continued to serve the Navy for an additional 20 years in civil service through NADEP at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. His 40 years of service to his country is a legacy of dedication and pride that defined much of his life.
Paul married his love, Joy, on Jan. 3, 1959, and they shared 66 years of marriage rooted in love, commitment, and family. They built a life centered on their children and cherished traditions, especially summers spent in Maine.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Joy; and sisters Jean and Mabel. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Scott (Judy) Clark; Cynthia; Kimberly and Rodney (Michele) Clark; his surviving sisters, June and Suzanne; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Those who knew Paul will remember him for his quiet strength, steady presence, and deep love for his family. He lived with integrity, valued loyalty, and found joy in the simple moments spent with the people he loved most. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Services for Paul will be held in spring at time to be announced.
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Juanita Gilman, 84, of Springvale, passed away peacefully surrounded by love on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.
Juanita was born on Feb. 12, 1941, in Norman, OK, the daughter of Elmer and Sofia (Polecat) Sinks. During her childhood, her family traveled throughout the Midwest, working in the agricultural fields picking cotton – experiences that helped shape her strong work ethic, resilience, and deep appreciation for family.
In a story she loved to share, Juanita met her future husband, Thomas Gilman, through a pen pal advertisement in Teen Scene Magazine while he was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The two wrote back and forth for several years, building a bond through letters. When Thomas was discharged in 1963, he traveled to Texas to meet Juanita in person. Just three days later, they were married. They shared 53 years of marriage and raised three sons, creating a home filled with love, laughter, and faith, until Thomas’s passing in 2015.
After being married for just over a year and welcoming their first child, Juanita and Thomas moved to Maine, where they would spend the rest of their lives. Juanita became a devoted member of the Sanford Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and worked for several years at Aletta Dress Shop in Springvale. Sewing was one of her greatest passions. She lovingly made quilts for family and friends, donated many to her church for fundraising raffles, and sewed dresses for children – some of which were sent to Africa to help children in need. She also provided sewing and alteration services from her home.
After leaving Aletta Dress Shop, Juanita stayed home for several years to raise her family before returning to the workforce. Over the years, she worked at Nike Shoe, Marja Corp., and finally Cabletron, where she remained until her retirement at the age of 55.
Juanita was very proud of her Native American heritage and was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. She was a deeply religious woman, and a faithful member of River of Life Church. Her faith guided her life and shaped her generous spirit.
Juanita was known for her generosity and kindness, always willing to give to anyone in need. While she was loving and gentle, she could also be delightfully feisty when the moment called for it. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Juanita was predeceased by her beloved husband, Thomas Gilman, Sr.; her parents, and her six siblings, Jack, Marvin, Imajean, Betty-Jo, Raymond, and Rita. She is survived by her three sons, Thomas (Helen) Gilman, Jr. Howard Gilman and his partner Margaret and Robert (Marie); six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and a great-granddaughter on the way, along with many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford, where Juanita will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.
Jocelyn B. Hartford lived a full, generous, and laughter filled 65 years before passing away unexpectedly in her sleep on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
She was born on Dec. 13, 1960, in Sanford to George and Lorraine Dubois. She cherished her marriage to her very best friend, Brion Hartford. Together they raised two children, ran a successful towing and truck repair business, and most recently had been enjoying their retirement together traveling and spending time in nature.
A shield of armor and a heart of gold, Jocelyn loved deeply and would do anything to protect the people she cared about. She enjoyed nature, her pet cats, being outside and gardening. Cooking, baking and growing her own herbs brought her much happiness. Feeding people was a profound expression of care, connection, and community, so she donated regularly to soup kitchens and volunteered her time with the Sanford Backpack Program. Laughing, making memories, music, dancing, and spending time with family made a life well lived. Her energy was contagious, and she will be deeply missed.
Jocelyn was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, David and Patrick Dubois. She leaves behind her husband Brion; their two sons Mathew and Adam Hartford, as well as seven grandchildren; a sister Elaine Sevigny; brother Mark Dubois; an extended family and many friends.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Black-Heald and Walker, Springvale, with visiting hours from 9 to 11 am with a service to follow.
Natalie Rovene (Marriner) Hoag, 92, a longtime resident of Springvale, passed away on Jan. 30, 2026 at Gorham House. She was born in Belfast on Jan. 8, 1934, to Winfield A. Marriner, Sr. and Mildred (Trask) Marriner.
Natalie graduated from Crosby High School of Belfast in 1952 and from Nasson College of Springvale in 1955. Nasson College is where she met and fell in love with William W. Hoag. Nat and Bill were married on Dec. 29, 1956. Bill started working for Nasson College in 1958, and they moved into the ‘big white farmhouse’ on Beaver Hill Road in Springvale, where they raised their three children.
When the children were in school, Natalie worked part-time for Ashley Public Relations. She was a dedicated member of the Nasson College Alumni Association Board, assisted in the development of the Nasson Heritage Center, and spent many hours volunteering at alumni association events. She was also on the board of the Oldtimers’ Shop in Sanford.
Natalie was very creative. She was a passionate and talented painter who enjoyed painting seascapes, birch trees in the winter and flowers. She painted with watercolors and oils. She also was a very good cook and loved to sew.
Family was the center of Natalie’s life. When her daughters married and moved away, she and Bill made several trips to Arkansas and Indiana to visit them and their grandchildren. She cherished the time spent with her family and enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in both musical and sporting events.
Natalie was predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Winfield A. Marriner, Jr. Sadly, Bill, the love of Natalie’s life, died in 2009. Survivors include her younger brother, M. Brent (Sandee) Marriner; her three children; Michael (Tina) Hoag; Cathryn (Brent) Wagner and Laurie (Philip) Normand; eight grandchildren and two great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate Natalie’s remarkable life will be held in the spring.
Bernice Martel, 94, of Lyman, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
She was born on Jan. 26, 1932, the eldest of seven children born to Mona (McKinney) and Roger Braley. She grew up in Limington and attended local schools, where her sharp mind was evident early on. She graduated at just 16 years of age as the valedictorian of the Limington High School Class of 1948.
Following graduation, Bernice moved to Sanford and began a career as a telephone operator. Over the years, she was a familiar face in the community through her work with Avon, Sears & Roebuck, Computervision, and later in the billing department at Goodall Hospital, from which she eventually retired.
Bernice married Gerard Martel in August of 1950 and together they raised five children and shared 30 years of marriage until his early passing in 1981. As the wife of Gerard, a well-known Sanford fire chief, Bernice was deeply rooted in the Sanford community, forming lifelong friendships that she cherished dearly.
A woman of many talents, Bernice was a gifted seamstress and enjoyed crocheting. Her faith was central to her life; as a longtime member of St. Ignatius Church, she found great joy singing in the choir. Bernice remained spirited and active well into her later years, maintaining regular walks and exercises. Her home was a hub for her grandchildren during many of their school vacations. She delighted in treating them to her exceptional cooking and shared her love through every meal, while providing fun activities that created lifelong bonds between the cousins.
After retiring she enjoyed several winters in Florida with her companion, Larry Dougherty, traveling and enjoying the warmth until his passing. She eventually returned to her beloved Maine to be closer to her roots. In recent years, Bernice lived with her son Tim and his wife, Teresa, in Lyman. She will be remembered most as a happy, social and outgoing woman who truly loved life.
Bernice was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Gerard Martel; her son, Dennis Martel; and her brothers, Harold “Keith” (Beverly) Braley; Roger “Bill” Braley, and brother-in-law Norton (Joe) Pease. Bernice is survived by her siblings David (Mary) Braley; Janice Pease; Brian (Judy) Braley and Kevin (Jane) Braley; sisters-in-law Linda Braley and Roberta Braley; her children; Steven (Margo) Martel, Richard (Karen) Martel, Julie (James) Paiva and Timothy (Teresa) Martel; her 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at Living Waters Church in Buxton at a later date, with interment to follow in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.
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