Joanne Helen LeGage

ROCKLAND – Joanne H. LeGage, 88, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her six loving children and family members, Saturday, November 28, 2020. A true Rockland native, Joanne passed away in the same home she grew up in, one that has been occupied by the Gardner family for over 72 years. Born in Rockland, June 10, 1932, she was the daughter of Henry and Mary Winchenbach Gardner. Educated locally, Joanne was a 1950 graduate of Rockland High School, and was crowned Kippy Carnival Queen that same year. Later that year, Joanne married her high school sweetheart, William LeGage. Together she and Bill resided in Rockland where along with raising six children, Joanne was one of the most trusted and popular waitresses and bar tenders at the Wayfarer East Hotel. A hard worker her entire life, she began working at the age of 16 and didn’t stop until she turned 72. When not working, Joanne loved spending time at the beach, soaking up the sun. Her family was her life, and she loved large gatherings with everyone around. She never missed a school activity or sporting event, spending countless hours on the bleachers at the Rockland Rec Center watching basketball. Spending time with and caring for her grandchildren brought her so much joy. She had a strong faith, and was an active member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She had a special place in her heart for birds, and especially loved cardinals. She was a loving, caring, strong woman, who was a twenty-six year survivor of breast cancer. She had countless friends who meant the world to her, and her smile, laughter and love of life will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Predeceased by her first husband William LeGage; her second husband Dennis Tupper; her sister Jeanette Withington; and a grandson David T. Hall, Jr.; Joanne is survived by her children, Judy Cox of Melrose, FL, Sandy Bosse and her husband John of Kingman IN, Bill LeGage and his wife Vicki of South Thomaston, Peter LeGage of Rockland, Paula LeGage and her husband Joseph Goudreau, James LeGage and his wife Maureen; her grandchildren and their spouses, William and Dalean Hall, Briana and Jim Hope, Jamie and Brandon Deaver, Amaris and Thomas Pedersen, Dustin Goudreau, Kara LeGage, Megan LeGage; two step-grandchildren, Jeff Dorr and Lynn Dorr; her great-grandchildren, Cassandra, Rebekah, Macie, Addleigh, Jacob, Zoey, Quinn, Eban, Leya, Hayden; her siblings, Robert Gardner, Richard Gardner, Albert Gardner, and Marie Savage; as well as many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to a walk-through visitation, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. Guest are asked to wear masks, enter then exit after a brief visit, giving time and distance for all to greet the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, c/o St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, 7 Union Street, Camden, Maine 04843.