PORTLAND — Irvine Scribner Kantz, 94, died June 29 at her home in Portland.

Kantz was born on her family’s farm in Mobeetie, Texas. She started school early, as her mother was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. Kantz graduated from Texas Tech University in 1941, at age 20, and went on to teach students of her own – some of whom were initially older than she was.

She met her future husband, Wayne Kantz, during World War II, when he was stationed in Pampa, Texas, as a flight instructor for the U.S. Army Air Corps. When the war ended, the couple moved to Wayne’s home of Southern California. Although later divorced, they raised two daughters, June and Janet.

Irvine was a skilled gardener, avid reader, exuberant traveler, devoted Methodist, and lifelong learner.

She was predeceased by her parents, W.A. and LaVerne (Sims) Scribner; her brothers, Albert Scribner and Bud Carroll Scribner; her sister, Fannie Belle Scribner; and her daughter, June Kantz Pemberton.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Kantz, and son-in-law, David Loranger, with whom she lived. She is also survived by her nieces, Carol Ann Scribner and her husband, Bernie, Mary Ellen Scribner, and Gail Smith and her husband, David; her nephews, Bill Scribner and his wife, Becky, Rick Smith, Craig Simmons and his wife, Silvia, and Eric Simmons and his wife, Ilona;  and her sister-in-law, Charlsey Scribner.

The family extends thanks to the staff of Hospice of Southern Maine.

There will be no local service. She will be buried In Mobeetie, Texas, at a later date.

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