SCARBOROUGH — Gertrude Noyes Morong, 98, died July 10 surrounded by her loving family.
 
Born on Jan. 24, 1913, to Edward and Flora Noyes in Corea, she was the second eldest in a family of 13 children.

Her father died shortly after the birth of her youngest sibling, and while it was very difficult for the family, the love and support of each family member carried them through. The family moved to Rockport, where they established lifelong ties.

She met and married the love of her life, Benjamin Morong, in October 1933. Together they raised two daughters, Barbara and Rebecca.

They moved to South Portland where he established the first Volkswagen dealership in Maine. During this time, she was a full-time mother and source of support for her husband and family.

Later on they built a summer home on Wilson Pond in Greenville, which became her most cherished place to enjoy her great love of nature. She loved to ride the back roads looking for bear or moose, and feed the many birds that visited her feeders.

She was the consummate hostess, hosting family and friends for events and dinners at Wilson Pond. These were some of the happiest days of her life and all who were there will always remember the love and laughter she shared in her camp and home.

She greatly loved being surrounded by family. She spread her love, hugs and kisses, as well as her cookies, to all. Even the local EMT personnel referred to her as “the cookie lady,” because she never failed to offer freshly-baked cookies to those caring for her.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to those who attended her in times of need. Greatly loved, she will be greatly missed by her loved ones.

She was predeceased by her husband Benjamin, four brothers, Earle, Edward, Dwight, Lyle, and four sisters, Augusta Korpinen, Gladys Payson, Allegra Johnson, Virginia Bryan.

Surviving are her daughters, Barbara Drisko and her husband William, and Rebecca Morong; brother Donald Noyes and wife Pat, and sisters Barbara Ryer, Margery Young and husband Douglas, Evangeline O’Brien and husband John; two grandchildren, Kimberley O’Brion and husband Edward, and Kevin Drisko; great-grandchildren Benjamin O’Brion and wife Andrea, Hannah Averill and husband Jeremy, Ruth O’Brion, Molly Vashon and husband Luke, Emily O’Brion, twins Abby and Rose O’Brion, and Noah O’Brion; and three great-great-grandchildren, Lily and Clare O’Brion and Dezso Averill.

A memorial donation can be made to the Maine chapter of The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 553, Portland, ME 04112; cancer.org or to The Maine Make A Wish Foundation, 87 Elm St. No. 203 Camden, ME 04843-1959; mainewish.org.

Visiting hours were scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 15, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Grace Bible Church, 74 Deering Road, Gorham. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Seaside Cemetery in Rockport.

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