BUXTON- Jo-Joy Raymond died at her home in Buxton, June 17, 2019.
Joy was born in Fryeburg, Maine to Earnest and Winona and spent most of her
youth with her mother, Aunt Ella and Uncle Hab. Joy attended High school in
Rangeley, Maine.
Jo Married her husband Lee in Westbrook, Maine in 1956.
For most of her career, Jo was the Asst. Admin. for Superintendents and Principle's
in SAD #6.
Jo was predeceased by her mother Winona, father Earnest, her husband Lee, and
her youngest daughter Diane. She is survived by her sister Marilyn and her brother
Earnest.
Burial will be private at South Buxton (Tory Hill) Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
Josephine Raymond
1937 2019
Jo, (Joy) died at her home
on Monday June 17th just one
day shy of what would have
been her wedding anniversary.
It was determined that she died
of one final bite from a love bug.
Over the years she had been bitten
by love bugs thousands of times
and it never seemed to bother her
one little bit, in fact Jo seemed to
live to be bitten by love bugs.
Love bugs first entered Jo’s life at
birth in Fryberg Maine on the sunny
Saco river where her mother Winona
allowed them into the family household.
As a young child Joy was exposed to
love bugs not only by Winona but by
her Aunt Ella and Uncle Hab who Joy
loved as much as her Mother,
as well as her many relatives from
the area. Love bugs are everywhere
around Fryberg and western Maine
and became steadfast in Joys life.
There is a picture taken at the old Fryberg
Elementary school of Joy and her school
mates surrounding Hop a Long Cassidy
after a photo shot atop Jockey Cap.
If this picture is studied closely one can
clearly see the many love bugs in the area.
From Fryberg the family made their way
to Rangeley Lake where Joy would attend
High school graduating with 16 other
seniors. That small class of Grads. Also
won the State Basket Ball title that year.
People at the time joked that the
entire class was on the team or
the cheerleading squad with Joy.
Again pictures and witnesses
account for the love bugs that were
present and say that they may
have helped carry the day for that title.
Several months later Jo was bitten
by the biggest love bug of her life, this
love bug came back from the
Korean War with the man that
would soon become her only partner
for life Lee. Lee’s family was from Rangeley
and at that time lived as homesteaders
in the Carrabassett Valley Village of
New Vineyard. Lee was no stranger to
love bugs as they were all around
him and his family as well. After marriage
Jo and Lee lived over the Rangeley
Bank and Trust on Main St. The town
was overrun with love bugs. This is where
they welcomed their firstborn, love bugs
and all.
Soon working in the woods gave
way to becoming a mechanic and in order
to provide for a new family both decided
best to move to Casco Bay. Jo and Lee
started anew in the South Portland hamlet
of Redbank. With farms and an airfield nearby
love bugs flourished and the couple would
make many friends and welcome
two more children into their world. Soon the
family would outgrow the hamlet and Jo
and Lee moved to make a final household
in Buxton back on the sunny Saco River
abet 60 miles downstream. Most think
this river is a migration pathway for
love bugs and the family soon settled in.
With many family members relocating
to the area Jo would host and Lee
would become her lovely assistant
for many a Birthday, Anniversary or
simple Saturday night of live music
and dancing. Almost all of Jo’s extended
family blew out at least one set of
candles at Jo’s table in the dark with
a roomful of people singing Happy
Birthday. The love bugs zeroed in on
this room lit by candle light, you
didn’t have to see them to
know they were always there.
As Jo’s children grew to school age
and with so many love bugs around
small wonder she would make her
career in the school system first as
Admin. Asst. to four superintendents
and later as Admin. Asst. to the
roving principle of the district
elementary schools. They worked
in most of those schools and touched
lives of thousands of students
around the district for decades
love bugs in tow. Many children
were bitten along the way.
As retirement neared Jo found
a new passion as she welcomed
the first of four grandchildren.
Love bugs by her side Jo could
start spoiling grandbabies and
let her rotten kids live their lives.
Camping, fishing, quilting, knitting,
canoeing, power sports and paying
attention to those around her Jo had
a way to make every day special
and love bugs helped each and every time.
Jo was predeceased by her parents
Ernest and Winona, her husband
Lee and her youngest daughter Diane.
Jo is survived by her sister Marilyn
and her brothers Ernest, Carlton and Forrest
her children Darla and Michael
her grandchildren Kellie, Julie,
Ishaan and Eben her great-grandchildren
Kyron and Liana and proudly exposed
them all to love bugs as often as possible.
At Jo’s request no service will be held
and a private burial will take place at a
later date. Also at Jo’s request her
house full of love bugs will be gently
ushered out the doors and on to your
most cherished places so you may
think of her often as they bite you
and all the people in your beautiful
lives. Special thanks to Chad Poitras
Funeral, Buxton for allowing love bugs
to be with her as Jo’s last wishes
are fulfilled.