Obituary: Irene M. Fenlason

STARKS – Irene M. Fenlason, 77, a longtime resident of Starks, Maine, and recently of Portland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice in Scarborough. She found a place of peace after a struggle with a lingering illness, surrounded by the best wishes for her peace from her friends and family and capable assistance of her caretakers attending.

Irene was born in Waterville, Jan. 2, 1949, the daughter of Marion (Keast) and Lyle E. Fenlason. She grew up in North Anson and Skowhegan, attending public schools and graduating from Skowhegan High School in 1967. She then attended Colby College, graduating with a B.A. in English in 1971.

Shortly after graduating from college, and after a few years of itinerant waitressing, she went to work in the family business – Kennebec Auto Parts in Madison. For nearly 50 years she worked there as a clerk, manager and eventually the owner. She was extremely proud of her accomplishments and success in a “man’s” world. She also came to know many of the people and workers of Madison, Starks, and Anson and made her long term home in Starks as an independent person who had made her own way through life on her own terms.

Irene’s interests included pets – cats and dogs all her life and a horse of her own as a teenager – gardening, reading and collecting science fiction, stained glass making and participation in the affairs of her community, serving on the Starks planning board for several years. Like many of us, she also retained a strong affection for the works of Jane Austen – one of the many authors she studied in college.

Irene is survived by her brother, Bruce and his wife Judy Fenlason of Biddeford; a niece, Sara Fenlason and her wife Trisha Kirk of Minneapolis, Minn.; her special friends, neighbors and helpers Marc and Tracy Cowan of Starks; stepdaughter, Sandy Quimby Smith of Alabama; several cousins scattered over much of the eastern part of the country and memories of her successful life and career.

No services are planned at this time. Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Saco are entrusted with her services.

If desired, donations

can be made in Irene’s

memory to the

Madison Public Library

12 Old Point Ave.

Madison, ME 04950

or to the

Skowhegan Animal Shelter

123 Middle Rd.

Skowhegan, ME 04976

Copy the Story Link