Natalie Nimon

Natalie (Donna) Clement Nimon, 84, passed away peacefully at the Greenwood Center in Sanford on Saturday, February 17, 2018. She was surrounded by most of her children and grandchildren who traveled from far and wide to spend the day with her. She was born September 10, 1933, in Parkman, ME, the daughter of Byron and Ferne (Woodard) Clement.She graduated Salutatorian in 1950 from Hartland Academy. In 1952 she married the love of her life, Norman Elias Nimon, who predeceased her in 1998. She was brilliant and beautiful and dedicated her life to raising and supporting her family. The most pressing question as her health declined this past week was this: "will you all be okay?" Her daughter Marcia Nimon predeceased her in 2017.She is survived by five sons, Anthony Nimon and wife, Carol, of Utica, NY; David Nimon and wife, Debbie, of North Charleston, SC; James Nimon and wife, Sherryl Tracy, of Springvale, ME; Michael Nimon and wife, Brenda, of Gloucester, MA; and Daniel Nimon and wife, Melanie, of Virginia Beach, VA. They in turn provided her with twenty-two grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren whom she enjoyed thoroughly and loved immensely.She could be regularly seen at schools and at games encouraging her offspring to excel at their events. Her family considered her to be a great listener and nonjudgmental. She instilled a love of reading and vocabulary to all and inspired her family to learn. But she was no wilting flower. She was an excellent bowler and the house was filled with her Sunday Night trophies! And she wasn't afraid to go outside and mix it up for any sport the kids were playing. As the center of the neighborhood in Oakland, she loved when her home was filled up with friends and family. She made everyone sit down and eat! She learned the Lebanese family recipes at the side of her mother-in-law and eventually excelled at these and many others. She was a great cook.As the house emptied she worked for several retail and service businesses in Central Maine but found her true calling as a substance abuse counselor. She had difficulties in her own life that provided the experience, empathy and tough love she would need to counsel others.She is also survived by her two sisters, Marie Dobson, of Howland, and Connie McDougal of Hartland, sister-in-law Gerry Nimon of Winslow, step-daughter Beverly Nimon Rideout of Waterville, and many loving nephews and nieces. She got together with her two eighty-something sisters for the last time this past summer amid much fanfare as they dined together in Central Maine, got interviewed on TV and were treated like rock stars. She was predeceased by her parents and three sisters, Beverly Clement, Glenna Vance and Dorothy Shields.We will remember her as a voracious reader, always trying to solve mysteries. She loved to read the newspaper with her morning coffee, and was a fanatic about completing the daily crossword puzzle and jumble. Lord have mercy on the person who phoned or visited when Jeopardy came on each night! And she loved the Boston Red Sox since she first dreamed of replacing Ted Williams in left field. Early on we watched the New York Giants and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with her, but she came to love Tom Brady and the New England Patriots even more (a few weeks ago she forgave him, but not them.)The family would like to offer thanks to Dr. Beil and medical staff at SMHC Sanford ER; and Dr. Wall, nurses, and staff at SMHC Biddeford Campus for their professionalism and caring. Thanks also to managers, staff and residents at Mayflower Place, Mom's first shot at living away from Central Maine and a good experience for her. We will always be indebted to administrator Anne Ambler-Cote and her extremely capable and compassionate staff at the Greenwood Center in Sanford. It was a place that felt like home from the beginning of Mom's stay many months ago and provided a fitting venue for the family to gather and reflect upon, and share in, the conclusion of a beautiful life. Many of her staff joined in with us to say goodbye. Thanks also to Dr. Barr and Southern Maine Geriatrics for medical care provided and Wentworth Hospice for your kind support.Visiting hours will be held at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home at 580 Main Street, Springvale, on Saturday, February 24th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. A celebration of Natalie's life will follow on Sunday, February 25th at 2:00 PM. Reverend Wilson Hickam will officiate. Following this service, there will be a time of remembrance and fellowship with light refreshments at St. George's Episcopal Church, 3 Emerson Street, Sanford.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the Condolences tab at left.