Obituary of Sylvia J. Gallant

Bangor - Sylvia J. (Marquis) Gallant, 83 of Bangor, Maine passed away on June 26, 2019 surrounded by family.  Sylvia was born in Corinth, Maine on April 26, 1936.  The second youngest of the eight children of Denis and Catherine Marquis, Sylvia was legally blind her whole life.  She did not let her disability hold her back and was the driving force of her family.  After raising her own five children, Sylvia became a successful businesswoman running Sylvia’s Vending and Snack bar, first at the Federal Building in downtown Bangor and then at the U.S. Postal Distribution Center in Hampden.  She enjoyed the many people she met in her business ranging from U.S. Senators, Federal Judges, postal workers and many other employees.  She was proud to say that regardless of their position, she treated all her customers the same.  She enjoyed people and dancing, joining several clogging dance groups over the years.

On November 27, 1954, she married the love her life, Kenneth F. Gallant.  They shared a special bond which remained strong throughout their marriage.  She was broken hearted when Ken passed away just this past April. 

Sylvia is survived by her children; Jolene Newell and husband Rand of Newburgh; Dan Gallant and wife JoAnn of Bangor; Doreen Dufour and husband Greg of Rockport; Cindy Biggar and husband John of Stetson; and Lori LaPointe and husband Rick of Topsham; 10 beloved grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her special sister, Bernice “Bunny” Newcomb, sisters-in-law Barbara Gallant, Rita Scaglarini and Catherine Turner, brother-in-law Donnie Gallant, as well as many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Gerald, Gilbert, Dennis, and Robert Marquis as well as sisters Anita Fortier and Thelma “Teddy” Cote.

A celebration of life will be held at Jeff’s Catering, 15 Littlefield Rd, Brewer, Maine on July 7, 2019, 10 AM – 2 PM.  We encourage anyone with a favorite story or memory, to share them with the family in person or in writing. In burial, she will join Ken 10 AM Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt Vernon Rd, Augusta. Memorial donations may be made to: Education Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Children, in care of Nancy Moulton at ESBVIC, P.O. Box 645, Biddeford, Me 04005.