Gwen Gatcomb, First Female President of the Maine AFL-CIO, Passes Away

We are sad to report that Gwen Gatcomb, the first female President of the Maine AFL-CIO passed away at home on Dec. 12, 2022 after a short illness. She was 90.

Gatcomb was born in East Machias July 14, 1932, and lived in the same home in Winthrop for the past 64 years. She graduated from Washington Academy in 1948. After moving to Winthrop, she worked at Carleton Woolen Mills for 32 years. She was active in unionizing Carleton and held officer positions in UPIU Local #1235 from 1972 to 1997 when she retired. She was active in many organizations (Maine Labor Group on Health, Maine Lung Association and Maine Commission for Women). She became the first female president of the Maine AFL-CIO in 1999.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 3-6 p.m., at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop.