Obituaries » Iva J. Engler
Iva J. Engler
December 18, 1953 - July 19, 2017
Iva Jeanne Engler, 63, died at her home in Sumner, Maine, July 19, 2017, following a lengthy battle against cancer. Iva’s firm belief in God supported her in this struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Iva was born December 18, 1953, in Willimantic, Connecticut, youngest of four children, to the late Elizabeth and Ivan Engler. Iva moved to Maine with her family before starting kindergarten, her elementary school years spent in Benton and Fairfield. In 1973, she graduated from Glen Cove Christian Academy in Rockland, then from University of Maine Presque Isle in 1977, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. She taught and coached 1 year at GCCA, 4 years at Gold Coast Christian in Florida, then taught 5 years of physical education at Barrington Christian and Fall River, Massachusetts schools. Her last 22 years of teaching math and coaching were at Grace Christian School, Bowie, Maryland, retiring from there in June 2016, to move home to Maine, after learning from her oncologist she had a short time to live. Iva spent many summers at Camp Fair Haven in Brooks, Maine, first as camper at age 13, then on to Junior Counselor, Senior Counselor, Waterfront Safety Instructor and Waterfront Director, among other positions at a location dear to her heart. Among joys of her life, Iva was grateful for opportunities to visit missionary friends in Taiwan, Mexico and Africa, as well as summer and vacation travels to visit family and friends. She was passionate about starting sports programs for girls as well as co-ed teams; volleyball, basketball and softball among the sports she enjoyed sharing with her students. She also greatly enjoyed her Maryland fly fishing women’s group and her own wonderful wood working projects. Iva is survived by sister, Joyce McGray, and brothers, Stuart Engler and Bruce Engler, along with step-sisters, Linda Schoenborn and Susan Rancourt , step-brothers, Gary Rancourt and Peter Rancourt, all of their spouses, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Iva’s family expresses sincere appreciation to her longtime friends, Jeanne Abbott and Nelda O’Brien, for their loving caregiving during these last few months, along with special support from another longtime friend, Elaine Conant, and also to Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice nurses, Tammy and Dave. A celebration of the life of Iva Jeanne Engler will be held at the Congregational Church of East Sumner, Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Iva requested donations be made to Camp Fair Haven, 81 W. Fair Haven Lane, Brooks, ME, 04921 or to the Dempsey Center, 29 Lowell St., Lewiston, ME, 04240.