Portsmouth - Marie Frances (Walker) Odiorne 88, of Portsmouth, NH passed away on January 15, 2017

She was born in Portsmouth on November 22, 1928. Daughter of Frances N. and Jessie M. (Ahearn) Walker, she grew up in the South End, graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1946 and from UNH in 1951 and became a teacher.

Marie married Norman H. Odiorne on February 16, 1952. They soon made their home in Eliot,Maine, where they raised their five children. She was a substitute teacher in Eliot when her children were young and returned to teaching full time as an English and French teacher at Marshwood High School (1968-1980). After her retirement, she and Norman returned to Portsmouth, to their much loved waterfront home. Years of boating and swimming were enjoyed by their family and friends, who were always welcomed with open arms.

Throughout her life, she was an avid reader, knitter, swimmer, and gardener. Many family members were the recipients of beautiful "Irish knit" sweaters and all of her grandchildren kept their hands warm thanks to her special "Mimi mittens". Marie was an active member of the Portsmouth Garden Club and a volunteer at Portsmouth Hospital for many years. She enjoyed times spent with her bowling team and could often be found just walking around her neighborhood, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. She loved time spent with her family

Marie was predeceased by Norman, her husband of 60 years, in February 2012.

She is survived by her beloved family,; her children; Thomas Odiorne of Portsmouth, NH, Elaine Lara and Carol McNally of Kittery, ME, Joanne Formosa and her husband Roger of Lake City, FL, Lisa Auger and her husband Larry of Rollinsford, NH. Grandchildren Christopher and his wife Leigh-Anne, Jason, Jeffrey, and Trish Lara, Amanda, Sheena, Marissa, Lexi, and Nicole McNally, Camden and Lindsey Auger, and Lisa Skarzynski and Danielle Formosa,great-grandchildren, in whom she took great delight; Griffin, Elliot, Jacquelyn, and Ryker, her sister Kathleen Tuveson and her husband Roger of Marblehead, MA, her brother Richard Walker and his wife Lori of Hampton, NH, and many nieces, nephews.

Friends are invited to visit with Marie's family on Friday from 6-8 pm in the JS Pelkey Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kittery Maine 03904, where a funeral will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 am with Rev. Roger Normand officiating. A time of refreshment and sharing will follow in the MacPherson Hall at the First Congregational Church on State Road in Eliot. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Portsmouth Public library or your local library. Care for the Odiorne family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.