Henrietta Henty Robinson LaRou Obituary (1921 - 2015)

South Portland Henrietta Henty Robinson LaRou, 94, died peacefully at Mercy Hospital on Sunday, December 6, 2015. She was born July 11, 1921 in South Portland, a daughter of George and Etta (Woodbury) Robinson. She is predeceased by her husband Phillip R. LaRou who passed away in 1996. She is survived by her sister Mabel Graney, daughters Laurie LaRou and Cindy Walsh and Cindys husband Thom, sons Dick and wife Cheryl, Dan and partner Christina, and George and wife Alex, 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Some of her civic involvements included: served for 17 years on the South Portland (S.P.) Library Advisory Board, instrumental in getting recognition for the residents of Ferry Village who had to give up their homes for the building and operating of the S.P. Shipyard, past member of the S.P. Historical Society as well as the Spring Point Museum, served as Secretary of South Portland Land Trust and headed up the beach cleanups, past troop leader of Camp Fire Girls, taught confraternity at Holy Cross and Sunday School Peoples Methodist Church, served on the Holy Cross Parish Council, past President and member of the Holy Cross Sodality. When she noticed that the S.P. nursing home, which was privately owned, was in what she termed, rough shape, she set about to get the city to either tear it down or take it over and refurbish it, which they did. As a working member on various committees, Henty lobbied and worked to keep Irving Oil Co. from coming to South Portland and adding an oil tank farm to the coastline. As well, she worked to preserve the S.P. Armory and the Roosevelt School, and helped add the swimming pool to the S.P. Community Center. In 2011, Henty was recognized for all her contributions to the City of South Portland as an individual that never held a public office but contributed to the fabric and history of our community. She will forever be remembered as a loving mom and civic leader. Even thought she was very active in South Portland, the city she loved, she always told her children they were her greatest achievements and gift. Hentys family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the doctors and nurses of the Mercy Hospital, in particular the Emergency Room and the 5th Floor Cardiology unit. Hentys visiting hours will be held on Sunday, December 13th from 3-7pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15 am on Monday, December 14th followed by a 10:00 am funeral service at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. To view Hentys memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. To those of us who have been privileged to have been a part of her life, we are so much better for having known her. She will leave a void in so many peoples lives. She left a big footprint that no one will be able to fill, but shouldnt we all try. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made it Hentys name to the charity of your choice.