ROCKLAND — Marie A. Savage, “Re Re” 85, died on April 29, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family.

Born in Rockland, February 2, 1941 to Henry and Mary Gardner, her life was devoted to her family, and she nurtured the lives of many children throughout the Midcoast community. Marie graduated from Rockland District High School in 1959. She received a degree in nursing and started her career as an LPN at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Her compassion and kindness for others served her well as a delivery/labor room nurse early in her career.

Becoming a mother was the greatest joy of Re Re’s life. She created a home filled with love, selflessness, and nourishing devotion. Re Re’s love of her four children, Karen, Cheri, Kimberly and Shawn, radiated through all facets of her life. She was a guiding compass, proud supporter, sounding board and trusted confidant. She navigated the role of motherhood with determined grace, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it. Re Re not only served as a constant guide and encouraging mentor in her children's lives, her support and love extended to numerous other nieces and nephews, who often looked to her as a second Mom.

In 2006, Re Re was blessed with the arrival of her beloved granddaughter, Arria Marie Doll, and helped to develop her into the beautiful young woman she is today.

Re Re served as childcare professional at Great Expectations from 1992-2006. She was instrumental in providing endless experience, positive energy and a welcoming smile to toddlers joining her room. She was trusted by many corporate working families, who still recall the impact she had on the early development of the children she cared for. Re Re had the unique ability to make everyone she worked with feel cherished and special.

Re Re’s interests extended beyond her professional life too. She enjoyed cooking, baking, decorating and gardening. Whether it be coffee, or a cocktail, she loved visiting with others on her beautiful porch. Every holiday was an excuse to decorate and Re Re made the most out of every special occasion, big or small.

Re Re is survived by her children: Karen Savage and her partner Rick Chiaravelotti (Wales, Maine), Cheri Savage and her partner Ryan Post (Rockport, Maine), Kimberly Savage Doll and her partner Keith Lane (Rockport, Maine), Shawn Savage and his partner Christine Joëlle Torreele (Los Angeles, California); her precious granddaughter, Arria Marie Doll; and the father of her children, John R. Savage.

She is also survived by two brothers: Richard Gardner (Rockland, Maine), and Albert Gardner (Rockland, Maine).

She is predeceased by her sisters and brother Jeanette Withington (formerly of Bangor, Maine), Joanne LeGage (formerly of Rockland, Maine) and Robert Gardner (formerly of Dartmouth, Massachusetts). 

A time of visitation will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with the Savage family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.