MARTINA F. DEMERCHANT

Fort Fairfield – Martina “Marty” Frances (Polchies) DeMerchant, 82, passed away Tuesday June 14, 2016 at a Bangor healthcare facility, with her family by her side. She was born March 19, 1934 in Woodstock, New Brunswick, the daughter of Frank Joseph and Lillian (Devoe) Polchies. Marty was a proud loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a strong willed and hard worker all of her life, working in many potato harvests where she would pick 100 barrels a day. Marty was a cook and baker in local restaurants, in later years she babysat and shared her love with some lucky children. Marty was a proud member of the Woodstock First Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. In addition to her parents, Marty was predeceased by two brothers, Bernard “Gene” and Harold “Chub” Polchies; her former husband and friend, Leo M. DeMerchant; a special brother-in-law, Peter Basque; and other good friends and family she has truly missed. She is survived by six daughters, Gayla Dwyer of Fort Fairfield, Barbara DeMerchant of Corinth, Linda DeMerchant of Fort Fairfield, Sharon DeMerchant of Presque Isle, Debra Ketch and her husband Scott of Fort Fairfield, Tina McDougall and her husband Stephen of Corinth; four granddaughters, Jaime Dwyer Lynch and her husband Nick, Ashley and Amanda Ketch, Tiana McDougall; one great grandson, Leo Nicholas Lynch born February 24, 2016. She also leaves behind her special sister, Geraldine Basque and her family whom Martina greatly loved; her “Cuz” Donna Doak; her brother’s families; two boys she called “her family too”, Philip and Matthew Rochford; as well as good neighbors and friends past and present. Friends may call Saturday July 2, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield where a service to celebrate Marty’s life will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. with the Rev. Steve Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the interment at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Martina to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com