EDWENA L. (LYNCH) PHILBRICK GAGNON
FORT FAIRFIELD

Fort Fairfield - Edwena L. (Lynch) Philbrick Gagnon, 89, of Fort Fairfield, Maine, passed away peacefully with her family by her side November 26, 2021. Edwena was born October 7, 1932, to Edward Michael Lynch and Hilda Agatha (Williams) Lynch in River de Chute, Easton, Maine.

Edwena was a true example of strength and courage. Faithfully following the teachings of Christ and applying those principles each day of her long, wonderful life, she overcame many challenges while exhibiting grace as she faced each one. We will forever remember her love, kindness and generosity she always showed her family and friends.

Edwena was a wonderfully gifted artist who demonstrated her creative flair in so many different ways and mediums. She always took special pride in her home and flower gardens. She loved to entertain. With a camera always in hand, she loved capturing special family moments, colorful flowers or a beautiful sunset at camp. She was best known for her beautiful oil paintings. She loved to share her passion for painting with others through teaching, displaying her art at numerous exhibits, participating in the Fort Fairfield Art Workshop and gifting her artwork for special occasions.

Edwena loved to spend time with her brothers and sisters and their growing families as well as many other cousins. All her ancestors were from River de Chute so she loved to return there often. Edwena had a passionate interest in genealogy and was proud to be a Mayflower descendent. Later in life, she created a collection of short stories about her family that captured their childhood recollections. She loved to share stories of growing up with her siblings and especially of visiting her grandmother and uncle down on the ‘Chute’.

Edwena was blessed to have many life-long friends from her early school days, from her career at The Aroostook Medical Center, through active participation in many civic organizations as well as her church fellowship and activities.

Edwena graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 1951 and shortly thereafter met her first love. She married John Calder Philbrick, a Fort Fairfield native and pilot, on December 7, 1952. They had three children, Paul, Keith and Bruce. Edwena was a devoted wife and loving mother. Some tough years followed after John’s untimely death in 1967, however, through the help of loving family, supportive friends, and ultimately God through her newfound relationship with Christ, she kept a steadfast focus on raising her boys in a stable, loving, industrious home. They never lacked. Camping and skiing trips, snowmobiling, church, school activities, a memorable trip out west, and increasing responsibilities around the house filled the days of her growing boys.

Nearing mid-life and with her children all grown, a chance meeting led to reconnecting with a dear high school friend, Richard Gagnon, who had experienced similar loss. Dick and Edwena married on June 23, 1989. They enjoyed 25 years of marriage, transitioned into retirement together and loved spending time at the camp they rebuilt at Portage Lake. They also enjoyed traveling to visit family, seeing the Maine coast and venturing on cruises.

Edwena is survived by her sister, Elaine (Lynch) Thomas of Arlington, Texas, three sons and their wives, Paul and Cindy Philbrick of Hampden, Maine, Keith and Peggy Philbrick of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Bruce and Tiffany Philbrick of Ellsworth, Maine, as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents and five siblings, Clement Lynch, Clarence Lynch, Mary (Lynch) Ferland, Eugene Lynch and Lawrence Lynch.

Visitation will be held at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, Maine on Wednesday, December 1st at 12:00 PM followed by a service at 1:00 PM. Edwena will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Fort Fairfield at a later date. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com.

Those who wish to remember Edwena in a special way may make a gift in her memory to My Friends Place, 703 Essex Street, Bangor, ME 04401, myfriendsplaceprogram.com.