STANDISH- Sonya Ruth Bean, lovingly referred to as “Beanie”, 91, of Standish Maine, died peacefully on Sunday July 16, 2023, at Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough. One of eight children, born to Mathilda and Arsene Tanguay, on February 19, 1932, in Westbrook Maine.
Sonya attended school in Westbrook at Saint Hyacinth’s. After receiving her education, Sonya married Norman Martin and had three children. She held positions at various factories, managed an egg store in Portland, Maine and ended her career at Sylvania in the early 1980’s.
Beanie led a remarkable life filled with love, kindness, and compassion. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, all things gambling, but mostly enjoyed her time with family. She was always the life of the party, making everyone laugh. You could always find her on the back of four wheelers, on the floor playing trucks or barbies, rolling down the hill or under a fort that she built with the kids.
Over the last two years, she enjoyed her little adventures away from Seaside, including heading out to the casino, going out to lunch, or her yearly Christmas shopping trip with her granddaughters. She would always make sure to have her hair done and her pink or red lipstick on. The days she spent at Seaside, you could find her in the middle of it all, whether it be playing Bingo, listening to Tom sing her favorite song “You Are My Sunshine”, or watching an Elvis impersonator. She made many friends at Seaside, both residents and care team and they referred to her as “Queen Beanie”.
Sonya is predeceased by her Parents, Mathilda and Arsene; her Brothers Paul, Philip, and Bernard; as well as her Sister Yvette; and her Grandson in Law BJ. She is survived by her Brother Roger; her Sisters Yvonne and Carol; her three children Alice “Terrie”, Bernard “Benny”, and Deborah “Debbie”; as well as 8 Grandkids Channon and husband Bruce, Shawn, Crystal and husband Dave, Daniel “Dan” and wife Barbie, Darrell and significant other Courtney, Megan and husband Bill, Adam and significant other Crystal, and Mistyn; 16 Great Grandkids Savannah and husband Shawn, Rusty, Makayla, Julia, Matthew, Bailey, Daniel, Isaac, Owen, Colby, Avery, Kalen, Gage, Brayden, Josilyn, and Willow; and 3 Great- Great grandkids Zoey, Stella, and Tucker.
Beanie spent her last two days being lovingly cared for at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough. She felt like a princess at a fancy hotel where she was spoiled and referred to her time there as a slumber party. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Gosnell House.
A service will be held on Tuesday July 25th at 2 PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton. Burial will be at a later date at St. Hyacinth's Cemetery in Westbrook.
Reception immediately following the service at The DiDonato home 27 Wilderness Way, Hollis, Maine