Sabina M. Gallinari, 74, of Bridgton died peacefully at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston on May 25, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

She was born in Lewiston on July 4, 1947, the eldest daughter of Carl and Geraldine (McFee) Gallinari. She was educated in Bridgton and graduated from Bridgton High School, class of 1965.

To say Sabina was born precocious would be an understatement. She entered this world with an uncommon intelligence and ravenous curiosity. They would serve her
well her entire life. As soon as she learned to read, there was no going back. The most voracious of readers, she was never far from the book or three she was currently reading. This passion for the written word was contagious and she delighted in sharing it with her son, nephews, and niece, who became dedicated readers themselves. Fundamentally, aside from family, literature was one of the great loves of her life. Sabina’s love grew to include most all of the arts, whether it be classical music, poetry, good food, painting, classic films, or modern movie classics like the Mr. Bean series.

But she had other interests, too. As a child, she enjoyed working in Gallinari’s, the family store, on Main Street in Bridgton. As she grew into a teenager, she heeded the call of Pleasant Mountain, skiing whenever she possibly could. At one point she even (if half-jokingly) aspired to be a professional “ski bum.” However, she had adventure elsewhere in her immediate future.

After living and working several years in Portland after high school, she returned briefly to Bridgton before pursuing wider horizons. In the mid-1970s, Sabina left Bridgton and Maine for happy times spent in Key West, Colorado, and Texas before finally settling, for a truly idyllic period of time in her life, in Eagle Nest, N.M. (where she even had a pet armadillo). Along with her journeys, there and visits back to Maine she also spent time in New Orleans.

As much as she loved the Southwest and hoped someday to come back, she returned to her beloved hometown for the birth of her son Carl in 1978. Back in Bridgton, she worked for the town’s Water District, Bridgton Academy, and Western Maine Counseling, typically in clerical positions. She additionally worked for Emory Waterhouse in Portland. Also, during her brief time in Massachusetts, she was employed at her favorite job at Stubbins Associates in Cambridge, Mass., that allowed her to occasionally travel, which she loved. That said, she ultimately returned to her hometown of Bridgton, a place she cherished like no other.

Sabina valued nothing more highly than her family, especially her son Carl who she loved immensely, along with his wife Carla. However, nothing matched her pride and joy at watching her “Cannolis,” grandsons Giovanni and Gennaro, whom she adored, grow up. They brought her a different, greater kind of happiness than she’d experienced before and enriched her life beyond measure, being a “Nonna.”

By no means did Sabina suffer fools, but she had an incredibly sharp mind which led to an incredible sense of humor that all prized. That sense of humor was most apparent at family gatherings and parties — her favorite things — where you could count on basking in the warmth of her smile with the twinkle in her eyes, and that delightful laugh. The loss to her loved ones is immeasurable, but thankfully, so is the love, laugh, and lessons she shared with all of us. She will be greatly missed.

Sabina is survived by her son Carl P. Gallinari and wife Carla with grandsons Giovanni and Gennaro, all of Quincy, Mass.; her sisters Martha Carpenter (and husband David) of Danvers, Mass., and Kristina Schwartz (and husband Michael) of Westbrook; her nephews Joshua Carpenter and Jacob Carpenter of Danvers, Mass. and Daniel Schwartz of Westbrook; and her niece Anna Schwartz (and wife Sarah Holmes) of Westbrook.

Private services will be held and announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bridgton Public Library (bridgtonlibrary.org/support-the-library/) in her name.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. To make an online condolence please visit www.chandlerfunerals.com