UNION — Maryjane T. Gautesen, 87, passed into daylight savings time during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 13, 2022, at the home of her son Tom and his wife, Deb Gautesen, where they were providing hospice care.

Born in Calais on May 25, 1934, she was the daughter of Frank A. and Helen (Waterman) Thomas, and was a 1952 graduate of Camden High School. Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, K. Norman Gautesen on July 13, 1952.

While raising her two children, Maryjane worked as a waitress at the former Yorkie’s Restaurant, then at the Sail Loft Restaurant in Rockport.

When her children were older, she went back to college receiving her certificate to teach special education. She enjoyed working with special needs children at the Henderson School in Camden and then moved on to the Coastal Workshop, now Coastal Opportunities, where she had some of the same students from the Henderson School as adults. During her retirement and missing her former students, she returned to the workshop as a volunteer.

In 2008, Maryjane and Norm packed up their lifelong belongings and moved to Union, behind son, Tom and his wife, Deb, you might say the “back 40”. They loved watching the wildlife and birds in Union. Maryjane’s health declined so she moved into an existing apartment in Tom and Deb’s home, not a long move, just 150 yards down the road.

Her hobbies were knitting, sewing, quilting and weaving. She actually moved her weaving machine down to the workshop where she and her clients weaved various sized handbags selling them to raise money for the workshop.

She was predeceased by her husband, Norman Gautesen in 2011; brother, Frank E. Thomas; and sister, Leah Patten.

Surviving is her daughter, Terry Gautesen Borg and husband, Scott of Seaside, Oregon, son, Tom Gautesen and wife, Debra of Union; five grandchildren, Lane Borg of San Angelo, Texas, Kari Beardsley and husband, Dr. Rob of Eugene, Oregon, Kristi Brady and husband, Josh of Belfast, Megan Moulton and husband, Mark of Sabattus; Nathan Travers and wife, Sarah of Scarborough; 8 great-grandchldren, Gabby and Jaedyn, Kadence and Ava, Ella, Audrey, Emmy and Jack; foster son, Ryan Randolph of Utah.

She also leaves several special friends, Bebe Goodwin, Grace Stearns, Judy Mckearney, Grace Stetson and Happy O’Neil.

The family would like to thank Maine Health Hospice Team for their compassionate care and assistance including nursing staff, Courtney, Rachael, and Chaplain Ken.

A graveside service in the Mountain View Cemetery will be announced in the spring. Memorial gifts may be made to PAWS, P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation