Madeleine Cote Gillings

Madeleine Cote Gillings, 96, of Sanford entered into new life on April 28, 2019.She was born in Somersworth, NH, on July 7,1922, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia Metivier Cote.With a vision and a dream, Madeleine made her mark on the Sanford community and helped many people along the way. Her faith, family and friends provided the foundation for all that she did. She had a strong desire to love and serve God.Madeleine attended Sacred Heart School in Portland. She moved to Sanford in fifth grade and attended St. Ignatius School. She was the valedictorian of the graduating class of 1938. After graduation, she studied at the School of Commerce in Lewiston, Maine.She became a legal secretary at the law office of Armand Gendron, worked as a public stenographer, and was Sanford's City treasurer for nineteen years (1968 - 1987).Madeleine married her wonderful husband, Frederick Gillings in 1946. She enjoyed spending time with Fred, her family and friends while enjoying dinners on the porch, Christmas and Fourth of July parties at her nieces' and nephew's home, cooking chocolate chip cookies, shepherd's pie, making the orange jello dish, walking on the beach, sewing dance recital costumes, gardening and attending elementary school concerts. She was always ready for a fun time and a good laugh.Madeleine was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and played a large part in helping to raise them. She was the matriarch of her family and always made keeping her family close a priority. She will be remembered as a kind and loving woman and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.Madeleine was a communicant of St. Ignatius and St.Therese Parishes. Receiving Holy Communion was the most important part of Madeleine's life. She taught religious education, was a lector and assisted with the Bishop's campaign. Madeleine's beloved husband, Frederick, predeceases her as well as her son, Dennis Leonard, grand-daughter Bridged Mary, brother, Ernest Cote and sister, Blanche Grenier. She is also predeceased by her close friends, Elverta Doiron, George and Rita Arsenault, Madeleine Dunham, Lorraine and John Lawrick, Doris and Leroy Field and Geraldine LeBlanc. She is survived by her daughters, Cynthia McConnell and husband, David of Westerville, Ohio. Mary Gannaway and husband, Steven of Springvale. Her grandchildren Todd McConnell and Kelly of Johnstown, Ohio, Godchild, Tina Bardwell and husband, Douglas of Westerville, Ohio, Rick Gannaway of Portland, and Soriya Luy of Springvale. Madeleine is also survived by her great-grandchildren Savannah Lombardi and husband, Tony, Mairenn and Patrick McConnell, Anna and Douglas Jr. Bardwell, Godchild, Rachel Bannister and husband George, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 4 at 9a.m. at Notre Dame Church of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, 10 Payne St. in Springvale, ME.The family would like to thank the medical professionals at the Goodall and Portsmouth Hospitals and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to St. Therese of Lisieux Parish or The Sanford High School Alternative Program - 917 Main St. Suite 200 Sanford, ME 04073.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence click tab at left.