Christine Lillian Toohey

Christine Lillian Toohey, 84, of Scarborough, died Sunday February 5, 2012 at the Holbrook Health Center of Piper Shores after a brief illness. She was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 21, 1927, a daughter of George and Mary (Powell) Clements. She grew up in New York City and Cambridge, MA and attended Holy Cross Academy; Cambridge Latin School, and Regis and Chandler Business School. Christine worked for the City of Cambridge for several years. In June 1952 she married Thomas D. Toohey Jr. at St. Thomas Church in Wilmington, MA and dedicated her life to home and raising nine children. She was a devoted daughter and mother, and family always came first. Christine moved her parents from Wilmington to Portland so they could be near her home. She was a model stay-at-home mom and took great pride in the achievement that all nine of her children attended college. Christine enjoyed spending time at the beach, first at Pine Point, where the family had a home. She kept a playpen on the beach when her children were small. Later in life, she enjoyed spending time in Fort Pierce, Florida with her husband, Tom, and after his death in 1988, with her cronies from Maine. She was joined frequently by her children and grandchildren at both of her homes in Pine Point and Fort Pierce. Christine's trips to Filene's Basement in Boston were legendary. She was always looking for a bargain as one might expect of a mother with such a large family. She was well known to the staff at various local department stores. In her later years, she became a flashy dresser, and truly enjoyed cheering up the days of residents of Piper Shores with her fashionable outfits and accessories. Surviving her are nine children; three daughters, Christine M. Toohey of Portland; Susan Hamill and husband Donald of Scarborough; and Moira Erickson and husband Paul of Scarborough; and six sons, Thomas D. Toohey III of Vero Beach FL; Paul Toohey and wife Jeanne Hackett of Scarborough; Peter Toohey and wife Cathryn of Old Orchard Beach; John Toohey of Fort Pierce FL; Matthew Toohey of Scarborough; and Brian Toohey of Ft. Pierce FL; and 20 grandchildren. She was predeceased in 1988 by her husband of 36 years, Thomas D. Toohey Jr., and her one brother, George Clements. Visiting hours will be held 4:00 - 7:00 pm, Wednesday, at Conroy Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at 8:15 am, Thursday, at the Chapel, followed by a 9:00 am, Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, corner of Mellen and Sherman Street, Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.O Lord,Behold our family here assembled.Give us peace, gaiety and the quiet mind.That we may be brave in peril,Constant in all changes of fortune,And that down to the gates of deathWe may be loyal and love one another.Online condolences may be expressed below.