1929 – 2013

AUBURN — Alice “Marie” Adam Sparks, 84, formerly of Hillcrest Street, Gardiner, passed away Saturday, Oct. 12, at Clover Health Care in Auburn.

She was born in Houlton on Jan. 3, 1929, a daughter of Olen and Alice Stewart Adams. Marie was a graduate of Gardiner High School, Class of 1946.

On Aug. 25, 1950, she married Kenneth C. Sparks. She worked at many jobs while raising her children. Her favorite and longest employment was with First National Granite Bank of Augusta, where she served as teller and loan officer.

Marie was a 50-year-plus member of the Order of Eastern Star. She served as worthy matron of Marion Chapter 63 in Gardiner and also worthy matron of the Queen Esther Chapter 10 of Hallowell. Marie also served one year as state chaplain of the Order of Eastern Star and as the state secretary of J.C. Wives. She was also a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. 

Marie is survived by two children, Carol Ann Christopoulos and her husband, Jim, of Auburn, and Kenneth C. Sparks Jr. and his wife, Pam, of Suffolk, Va.; her sister, Viola Hinds of Lake Stevens, Wash.; a special brother-in-law, retired Army Lt. Col. A. Richard Sparks of Scarborough; four grandchildren, Maria Reinstein and her husband, Zack, Kristen Shannon and her husband, Kevin, Lisa Quinn and her husband, Richie, and Ryan Sparks and his wife, Candice; seven great-grandchildren, Alexander and Nicholas Tirrell, Eleni Reinstein, Connor Keating, Emilee and Austin Quinn and Emily Shannon; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Clover Health Care and the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the love and care of Marie.