1923 – 2003

FARMINGTON – Rowena P. Presby, 79, of Jay, died Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 3, at Franklin Memorial Hospital with her family at her side.

Born at Dallas Plantation, Dec. 21, 1923, a daughter of the late Paul P. and Charlotte R. (Lamb) Pillsbury, she was educated in the schools of Dallas Plantation and Rangeley.

On Oct. 4, 1941 she married Merton C. Presby Sr. in Strong. She was a member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church in Wilton and the Country Square Quilters in North Jay. She was employed by Forster Manufacturing Co., J.L. Coombs, Livermore Shoe, Farmington Shoe and G.H. Bass, retiring in 1982. She will be remembered by her family and friends as a crafty woman and a wonderful cook.

Survivors include four sons, Merton C. Presby Jr. of Jay, Dennis P. Presby of Avon, William C. Presby of Fayette and Hayden G. Presby of Nebraska; a daughter, Linda M. Leavitt of Jay; a brother, Kendall Pillsbury of Strong; five sisters, Rebecca Ellis of Strong, Lillian Berry of Strong, Marilyn Howard of Strong, Marie Campbell of Phillips and Lucretia Dudley of Phillips; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years in May of 1995; and two brothers, Arlo Pillsbury and C. Oscar Pillsbury.