Zita L. Camire

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Zita L. Camire

Zita Camire 90, passed away November 7, after a brief stay at Exeter Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Zita was born October 7, 1923 in Portland Maine. She was the daughter of the late Fred H. and Lucy (McDonald) Wilbur.

Living in Portland for over 40 years, she graduated from Portland High School. Zita moved with her daughters Stephanie and Nancy to Exeter in 1966 after her marriage to Joseph E. Camire, a lifelong resident of Exeter.

Zita’s life was full and meaningful. A welder of 50 caliber machine guns and ammunition boxes, back in World War II. She also lived through the Great Depression. Zita was a nurse’s aid at the Mercy Hospital in Portland, Me.

After moving to Exeter she worked as a lunch lady at the Exeter High School and then at Sylvania for many years, making friends that she had to the day of her passing. After retirement from Sylvania, Zita helped raise her grandchildren Lawrence, Bridget and Emma. Always there to help wherever and whenever she could. “Nana” as everyone came to call her, loved the kids. In recent years she helped raise her special twin great granddaughters Madisyn Mae and Camryn Zita Camire who have lived with her from birth.

After the passing of her husband Joseph E. Camire, she became a visiting senior companion volunteer with the VNA. She went out and talked for hours with the “older people”. She loved her job, making people feel important. She did this up until this past month. She was also the “keeper of the gates” at the Exeter cemetery. Within those gates she met and spent time with many grieving families. She always took time to listen to their stories.

Family members include two sons, Richard Curry and wife Linda of Raynham, MA and John Camire and wife Dot of Exeter, three daughters, Eleanor Kimball and husband Ronald of Falmouth ME, Stephanie Camire and partner Justin Griffin of North Berwick ME and Nancy Brunet and husband Joe of South Hampton NH. She had two sisters the late Elizabeth Bean of Buxton ME and Helene Gutgsell of Portland ME. She had several grandchildren, Lawrence (Loupy) Camire and his wife Janine, Bridget and Emma Brunet of South Hampton NH, Kelly Roy of Westbrook ME, Doris Doherty of Falmouth ME, Bridget Johnson of Raynham MA, Amanda Curry of Taunton MA and Wendy Clough of North Hampton. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Visiting hours are Monday evening 5-7pm at the Stockbridge funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter. A Mass of Christian burial will be will be celebrated at St. Michaels Church, corner of Front and Lincoln Streets, Exeter, Tuesday at 10 am. Burial will be in the Exeter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Rockingham VNA and Hospice 137 Epping Rd. Exeter, NH.

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