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Miriam Elizabeth Rand

Date of Death: October 26, 2012

Date of Birth: August 14, 1921

Biography:

NEW GLOUCESTER -- On Oct. 26, 2012, Miriam Elizabeth Rand died on the same exact date as her husband Elwin Everett Rand did 15 years prior. Their 56 year marriage started Christmas Day 1941 when Elwin came home on leave from the military. Their living monument is the 88 foster children for whom they opened their hearts and home. She lived a busy full 91 years, until a stroke and an extended battle with Alzheimer's sent her to her husband's arms.
Born on Aug. 14, 1921, to Freeman S. and Dora F. (Goldrup) Groves, Miriam attended Cumberland, Yarmouth schools and graduated from North Yarmouth Academy.

Miriam and Elwin were leaders in the Portland Foster Parents Association. In 1990 Miriam was nominated for a Jefferson Award for community service.
Miriam was a dedicated member of the North Deering Congregational Church in Portland. Even in her 80s she worked on the church's Friday fish chowder lunches. An active member of the Church Guild she helped organize the annual Christmas fair. She enjoyed the Guild quilting group. In her lifetime she made multitudinous highly prized quilts for friends, family and church fund-raisers. She and her husband Elwin shared co-presidency of the church's Kumdubbles.

An avid gardener, her place on Panoramic View Drive was a showplace for flowers. She often brought flowers to the Portland Bridge Club where the and her partner Helen Schade were frequent tournament winners. She passed on her love of gardening through her work as a mentor for Garden Angels.

In this holiday season, her family and friends will miss her cooking and hospitality. Miriam leaves four children, Robert A. Rand (Mary), David E. Rand (Lynn), Roger F. Rand (Lisa) and Margaret Ruth (Rand) Farda. She leaves behind many foster children including Sharon Libby Jones (Ronnie), Becky Rand, Christine Johnson, Susanne Graham (LeFavor), Helena and Monica Flowers; grandchildren, David H. Rand, Andrew Rand, Scott A. Rand (Carmen), John J. Rand (Rose), Sarah E. Rand, Morgan Rand, Haley Rand (Pitman) (Chris), Kevin, James and Anthony Farda; great-grandchildren, William Rand 'Jack' Duggan and Jonathan Rand; and the Farda children, Matthew, Austin, Thomas, Isaiah, Autum, Kayonna, Zoie, Kallighan, and Kevin Jr. Miriam was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret I. Erskine and Ruth Blow, brother Richard F. Groves; and a good friend, Laurence Montague.

Miriam's interment ceremony will be on Nov. 16, at the Lower New Gloucester Cemetery at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited. On June 15, 2013, we will hold a celebration of life at the Cousins Island Church and Community Center. We ask family and friends to join us in the celebration. Condolences may be expressed at funeralalternatives.net.


In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alzheimer's Association of Maine or the Cousins Island Church through the Yarmouth Town Hall.

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