Elaine Gloria Martineau Gagne´
March 13, 1948 ~ April 30, 2025
Born in: Sanford, Maine
Resided in: Sanford, Maine
Elaine M. Gagne´
77
Elaine Gloria Martineau Gagné passed away peacefully at home in Sanford, Maine on April 30 after years of persevering with Alzheimer’s disease under the care of her loving husband of 52 years, Thomas Roger Gagne.
She was the third of four children born in Sanford to Edward J. Martineau (1906 – 1976) and Jeannette Normand Martineau (1919-2017). She grew up on Ridgeway Ave. in Sanford, across from the former Edison School, where she would eventually teach for many years. Elaine attended St. Ignatius Grammar School and graduated from St. Ignatius Regional High School in 1966, where she was a singer in the a cappela group the “Inspirations”, cheerleader, member of the National Honor Society. It was there that she met her high-school sweetheart and future husband. She graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a BS in Education in 1970. Her teaching career spanned 38 years and three Sanford elementary schools, enriching hundreds of young lives while inspiring parents, teachers, and so many others in the community. Elaine was a “teacher’s teacher.” After her first 10 years teaching, she was selected by her peers to be the first Sanford Teacher of the Year in 1980. Following her retirement in 2008, Elaine continued her service to the community through numerous volunteer activities. Moreover, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, an avid gardener, and an adventurous cook. She is remembered by family, friends, and former students for her warm smile, contagious laugh, silly songs, captivating magic tricks, and unbounded love.
She is survived by her husband Thom and their three sons and families, Christopher Gagné of Alexandria, VA and his wife Jennifer Landy and their sons Asher and Remy Gagné, Timothy Gagné of Whitefield, ME and his wife Lila Solomon and their children Eleanor and Ori Gagné and Isaac Gagné of Tokyo, Japan and his wife Nana Okura Gagné and their daughter Mona Gagné. She is also survived by her brother Roger Martineau and his wife Beverly, her Sister Estelle Cote and her three daughters and her sister Patricia Roy and her husband Ronald Roy and their three children.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 8th at the Black-Heald Walker Funeral Home, located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. Friends and family will gather at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 9th at St. Ignatius Cemetery located on Berwick Road in Sanford. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home immediately following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making a donation to a local food pantry.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black-Heald Walker Funeral Home of Sanford-Springvale. To view Elaine’s memorial page or to leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com
Services
Visiting Hours: Sunday, June 8, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Black-Heald & Walker Funeral Home
580 Main Street
Springvale, Maine 04083
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-06-08 13:00:00
2025-06-08 04:00:00
ElaineGloria MartineauGagne´Visiting Hours
Visiting Hours
580 Main Street,Springvale, Maine 04083
Visiting Hours: Sunday, June 8, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Black-Heald & Walker Funeral Home
580 Main Street
Springvale, Maine 04083
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-06-08 18:00:00
2025-06-08 08:00:00
ElaineGloria MartineauGagne´Visiting Hours
Visiting Hours
580 Main Street,Springvale, Maine 04083
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-06-09 11:00:00
2025-06-09 11:00:00
ElaineGloria MartineauGagne´Graveside Service
Graveside Service
,Sanford, Maine 04073
Memorial Gathering: Monday, June 9, 2025 12:00 pm
Black-Heald & Walker Funeral Home
580 Main Street
Springvale, Maine 04083
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-06-09 12:00:00
2025-06-09 12:00:00
ElaineGloria MartineauGagne´Memorial Gathering
Memorial Gathering
580 Main Street,Springvale, Maine 04083
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Elaine Gagne will long be remembered for her excellence in teaching. Every child assigned to her roster received 100% of her best work every day. As a third grade teacher at Carl J. Lamb Scool in Springvale,I had the good fortune of receiving her students who were well prepared to seamlessly transition to the next grade level. Elaine set the standard for the fine art of teaching. She was a true master of her craft. Thom, your deep love for Elaine was obvious to all of us who know you. May you find comfort knowing Elaine is now at peace.
Betty Dunham says:
May 2025
Please accept my deepest condolences in the passing of Elaine. I worked with her at Roosevelt School many years ago. She was such a nice person and enjoyed her company and wit. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Betty
Elaine was our lovely and gracious neighbor for 23 years. She and her husband Thom were always kind and there when one needed a helping hand. When we moved to the neighborhood around Christmas in 2002, Elaine was knocking at our door to deliver us some Christmas fudge and welcomed us. You will be missed, Elaine…Godspeed Condolences, and Blessings to the entire family.
May you find peace and comfort in knowing that Elaine has left a lasting impression on many.
It is with great sadness that I offer my heartfelt condolences to the entire Gagne family. I have been blessed to know Thom and Elaine and children for many years as a friend and colleague in the Sanford Public Schools.
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Jo-Anne Patterson
Dear Elaine,
I write this letter to you and your family because you have been a part of my adult life since we went to Lamaze Class forty-seven years ago and taught together in the Sanford School System. You not only taught me how to mother with grace and ease, when I came to Edison, you taught me every morning how to be the best elementary teacher I could possibly be. I will miss you for all time, I will miss your beautiful smile, your grace, your exquisite style, your ability to always see the bright side of life, your sense of humor, your love for Thom and your beautiful children and grandchildren. Our “little breakfast/knitting club” will never be the same with out you. I know you are in a better place as you give new meaning to “bad things happen to good people”…..YOU ARE THE BEST OF US, and you will be dearly missed.
Heaven is a brighter place, because you are there! With love
What a great teacher and an inspiration to all other teachers in the Sanford School system. I taught at Sanford High School and her reputation for excellence was well known. I especially want to reach out to Tim whom I had the pleasure of knowing and working with at Sanford High. She was a great mom as is your Dad a great dad to raise a son with the exceptional caring for others and many talents that were given you that you have used to help others. Thinking of you.
Dear Tom – Elaine was a very special lady. I’m sad for your loss.
Thom, have a bright memory of disembarking Carroll Hussey’s bus in front of Saint’s gym. I was approached by an upperclassman, which surprised and terrified me. It was Elaine, and she asked me, very quietly, and with true sparkle in her lovely eyes,about you and what I thought of you. I said you were a kind, happy person who loved to dance. Look what happened! 52 years of love and devotion! Hold on to those in your time of adjustment.
Susie Chasse