Connie Edna Lavaway-Orcutt

July 6, 1963 - March 25, 2021

Connie Lavaway-Orcutt passed away peacefully at her home in Gorham, Maine on March 25, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Her young life was cut short by a recently-diagnosed acral metastatic melanoma. Connie was born in Presque Isle, Maine on July 6th, 1963, the daughter of Louise E. (Ferguson) Lavaway and Adrine D. Lavaway. She resided and was educated in the Mapleton/Presque Isle, Maine area and later moved to the southern area of Maine. Connie never knew a stranger and was a kind and loving mother, partner, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to all. To meet her was to feel you had known her forever. Like our parents, she grew up with a great love for all animals, beginning with her beloved pony, Coco, and later her horse, Champ. As a teenager, Connie, along with her sister, Marilyn, was a participant in nearly all of the horse shows in Aroostook County, several local parades, and multiple other 4-H events. There was never a dog or cat that needed rescuing that Connie would not take in, nurse back to health, and save. Dozens of animals found their “furever” homes with Connie and her animal-loving family. Music was an especially important part of Connie’s life. It began in childhood and continued with being her becoming a member of the Presque Isle High School Chorus, singing in Kiwanis and other talent shows. After graduation, she organized the band “Kaktus”, for which she was lead singer. Kaktus played for many years at numerous Maine venues and events. Connie’s musical talent continued with her family in the music room of their Gorham home. She also developed a great love of cooking and would delight family and friends with her culinary expertise throughout her entire adult life. To Connie, cooking for people was her unique way of expressing her love for them. She always cared deeply about others and fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams when she obtained her degree in Psychology from the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) in 2011. She then began a career at Express Employment Professionals in Portland, Maine, and went on to help countless individuals find employment, something she took great pride in. She touched many people’s lives over the last 10 years with the company. Connie was preceeded in death by her loving parents, Louise E. (Ferguson) Lavaway and Adrine D. Lavaway. She is survived by her daughters, Alannah Orcutt and Sydney Orcutt, by her beloved partner, Joe Kaper, and by Alannah’s partner, Elizabeth Coleman; all of Gorham, Maine. Also surviving are sisters and brothers: Mildred (Millie) Lavaway and husband, Don Ratcliff, of Sebastian, Florida, Dennis Lavaway of Elkton, Virginia, Gary Lavaway and wife, Becky, of Presque Isle, Maine, Carolyn Griffin of Hickory, North Carolina and Marilyn Saucier and partner, Kerby Ouellette, of Lewiston, Maine, as well as several nieces and nephews, dozens of cousins, and hundreds of friends. Due to COVID-19, there is no funeral or memorial service planned at this time. Those who wish to donate in Connie’s memory may do so in her name to the Humane Society of their choice. Connie would appreciate and love that act of kindness toward animals. Arrangements are in the care of Maine Cremation Care. To express condolences or participate in Connie’s online tribute, please visit www.mainecremationcare.com.