LEWISTON — Sarah M. Paione, 82, of Lewiston died Monday, July 2, at her home with her husband by her side, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Known to her family and friends as “Sugar” or simply “Sug,” she was born in Elizabeth, N.J., on March 5, 1936, the daughter of Stanley E. and Ruth Bywater Franey. Educated in New Jersey schools, she was a graduate of Battin High School, Elizabeth, N.J., Class of ’54, and graduated from St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in 1957.

She met the love of her life, Eugene N. Paione Sr., in 1954 and they were married June 7, 1958, recently celebrating their 60th anniversary. Sarah and Gene moved to Maine in the summer of 1959, and the family eventually grew to six children. She started to teach in 1977 and worked at the Montello and Longley schools until her retirement in 2003. She believed that every child should be blessed with the gift of books.

A member of the former St. Patrick’s Church until its closing, she was also a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus. Sarah was an active member of the local Catholic community, and volunteered for many years at the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Survivors include her loving husband of Lewiston; a daughter, Christine M. Giasson, of Lewiston; sons Eugene Jr. of Lewiston, Edward and wife, Janet, of Auburn, Eric (“Tony”) and wife, Gail, of Lewiston, and Evan and wife, Mary-Ellen, of Durham; five grandchildren, Melissa, Andrew, Olivia, Emily and Ryan Paione; a sister, Anna May Olding, of Cincinnati, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Franey, of Kingwood, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Stanley Franey Jr.; a sister, M. Martha Fluhr; and a son, Andrew Jude.

Her family would like to thank the staff of the Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice for all the loving care they provided.

Donations and condolences may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.

Sarah M. Paione