Lauraine Frances (Gurney, Christie) Mercier died January 7, 2026 after a long struggle with dementia. She was born in Gardiner on April 7, 1935 to Thomas J. and Mary (Brayley) Gurney. She attended Gardiner schools and worked as a stitcher for 27 years at HealthTex. She married Scott Christie, raising their family in Randolph. After their marriage ended, she married Robert Mercier and moved to Madison, where they spent 21 happy years.
Mom loved fishing, flowers, candlepin bowling, golfing, sewing and crafts. At age 50 she earned her GED, and worked as a CNA at Maplecrest Nursing Home in Madison. She and Bob also enjoyed taking their trailer south in the winter, going to the races (she only bet on trotters), and driving country roads in Maine. They were members of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Madison American Legion & Auxiliary and were active in Special Olympics.
Mom enjoyed eating out, especially lobster dinners on the coast, fried haddock at the Norridgewock diner, and Chinese at the Great Wall (where she celebrated her 90th birthday last April). She was a pet lover and had several dogs and cats as part of her family over the years.
Lauraine was predeceased by her parents, brothers Ronald and David Gurney, sister Effie Barker, stepdaughter Vickie Knights and husband Robert. She is survived by her children Scott (Helen) Christie of Humble, TX; Karen Garcia of Waterville; Lynne (Stephen Heath) Lancaster of Hallowell; Brian Christie of Augusta; and Bette (Bruce) Becker of Liberty, TX; stepchildren Mark (Flo) Mercier of Norridgewock; Karen (Larry) Bishop of Lexington Township; stepdaughter-in-law Barbara Mercier of Anson; brother Michael Gurney of Augusta; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother-in-law John Christie of Richmond; special friend Mary Luce of Gardiner; and her “babies” Missy and Kitten.
A funeral mass will be held on January 23rd at 1 pm at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Madison with a reception following in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the spring.
We would like to thank Mark, Flo and Barbara Mercier, the staff of MGRNC Glenridge Valley Unit and MaineGeneral Hospice for their compassionate care during Mom’s illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to your local animal shelter or MGRNC Glenridge Resident Activity Fund, 40 Glenridge Drive, Augusta.