Marie Grace Roderick

Sipayik – Marie Grace Roderick, 86, Passamaquoddy Elder, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2016 at Eastport Memorial Nursing Home surrounded by family and friends.

Grace was born to Susie Neptune on June 18, 1929 in Sipayik where she grew up, raised her own children and served her community in countless ways. She served on the Tribal Council and as chairperson on the Pleasant Point School Board and worked for many years as both the Education Director for the tribe and as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Grace was a dedicated member at St. Ann Parish in Pleasant Point. She will be remembered by many for her gourmet cooking, sense of humor and keen fashion sense.

In addition to her mother, Grace was predeceased by two husbands, Kenneth Q. Poynter and Kenneth Roderick; a grandson Jake Poynter and a “brother” Moses “Big Boy” Neptune.

She is survived by her four children, Margaret Newth and her husband, Larry of Mechanic Falls, Judy Poynter Pope and her husband Pete of Portsmouth, VA, Kenneth Poynter of Pleasant Point and Oranda Roderick-Williams and her husband Kevin of Indian Township; six grandchildren, Jeremy Lester, Sudiek Neptune, Victoria Socobasin, Roger Socobasin II, Hope Ann Socobasin, and Zack Piper-Poynter; five great grandchildren, Ally, Pam, Denali, Melia and Hazel Grace and many cousins and friends.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 24th at the home of Jane Taylor, Side Road, Pleasant Point, until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 26th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Kevin Martin 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 26th at St. Joseph’s Church, Washington St., Eastport. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.