Simone Steeves Gilbert died at home in Gorham on April 27, 2015.

She was born in Jackman on March 1, 1922, the oldest of nine children of Ralph and Lucille Gagnon.

As the oldest child, she helped her parents raise her younger siblings. As years passed, she became the matriarch of the large Gagnon family. She was like a grandmother to her many nieces and nephews.

Simone, who spent several years in Wiscasset, was a person blessed with the gift of love and kindness. She made friends easily and kept them through the years. When someone needed help she was the first one there.

She was an avid reader, a book club member and enjoyed playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and the Jumble every day. She especially enjoyed leading the family in singing traditional French Canadian songs when the family gathered.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Burton Steeves, her second husband, Ernest Gilbert, and her brother, Allen Gagnon.

She is survived by her daughter, Lucille Johnson and her husband, Eric of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania; her son, Richard G. Steeves, Esq. and his wife, Nancy, of Standish; stepchildren, Alain Gilbert, Michel Gilbert, Francyne Gilbert and Jocelyn Veilleux, all of Quebec, seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Lillian Colby, Jeanette Steeves, Isabelle Lewis, Patricia Grant, Ralph Gagnon Jr., Cheryl Squiers and James Gagnon.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anne's in Gorham on Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at the church.