Gloria J. (Marcou) Sanborn

Gloria J. Sanborn, 69, life-long resident of  Lebanon, died December 23, 2022 in Wentworth Douglas Hospital in Dover after a period of failing health.

She was born December 30, 1952 in Rochester, NH, the daughter of Fred and Charlotte (Bellen) Marcou.  In 1972, Gloria married the love of her life, Arvids Sanborn and raised their family in Lebanon.

Gloria was affectionately known as “Ma” not to just her own children, but to all the neighborhood kids and their friends as well.  She prided herself on being a wonderful homemaker and the center of the family circle.  “Ma” just loved taking care of others.  She and Arvids’ opened their home to any child or adult in need of a pillow to sleep on or a hot meal to eat.  Their door was always open and had numerous “foster” children over the years.  Her quick wit, sassiness and colored humor, which is compared to” Roseanne,” kept the chaos  flowing with just the right combination of  peace, respect and love a family filled with kids should be.  As chief cook and bottle washer, she was also the party director, keeping the events going throughout the year.  Gloria was a tell it like it is kind of gal who gave you her honest opinion about your actions whether or not you wanted to hear it.

Gloria loved reading, crafting, sewing, crocheting and computer games.  She loved spending hours playing board games with whomever stopped by.  Gloria loved gardening where she enjoyed birdwatching and her home was filled with plants as well.  Gloria was a wonderful cake decorator and provided the cakes for most of the family weddings.  She especially loved long rides with her family, especially to the calming beauty of the ocean.  Her feistiness will be forever missed and always remembered by all those she loved and held so close.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Autumn Day in 2015; 2 sisters, Sue Libby and Beverly Duquette and 2 brothers, Dwayne and Dwight Marcou.  Surviving are her loving husband of 50 years, Arvids of Lebanon; 4 daughters, Dawn Royce and her lifelong partner, Christopher Dumont of Berwick and their daughter Kirsten Tara who Gloria thought of as a daughter; Sheila Berry and husband David of North Berwick, Shelly Sanborn of Lebanon, Candida Chabot and husband Roy of Milton; foster daughter and best friend, Joyce Pierce; 3 brothers, Fred Marcou, Jr., Jeff Marcou Sr., Dale Marcou; 4 sisters, Frederica Kingsbury, Tammy Smith, Mary Lou Labby, Theresa Tetu; 9 grandchildren, Austin, Aidan, Jared, Dakota, Shane, Aric, Jordan, Morgan, Kiana and two great-grandchildren,  Rowan and Luka.

 At Gloria’s request, there will be no public services.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market Street, North Berwick, ME.  Condolences and memories may be shared on her page at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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