1907 – 2003

PHILLIPS – Lena M. Chandler, 96, wife of the late Harry Austin Chandler, died Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 19, at her residence in Phillips.

Born in West Pembroke, Oct. 31, 1907, a daughter of the late Benjamin W. and Lelia M. (Leighton) Clark, she graduated from Pembroke High School, Washington State Normal School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Orono.

Her teaching career, which spanned 38 years, began in a one-room school in Pembroke. She taught many years in Phillips, Oakland and Eliot. She was a member of the Phillips United Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Society and the Order of Eastern Star, as well as several local, state and national education associations.

Mrs. Chandler is survived by one son, Loring “Dick” Witham and his wife, Jane of Phillips; two daughters, Patricia Witham Crocker of Machias and Connie Witham Smith of Madrid; her nine grandchildren, Mark L. Witham and wife, Shari of East Wilton, Matthew L. Witham of Phillips, Joseph D. Haynes and wife, Christy of Strong, Lee Ann Witham Zulick and husband, Patrick of Bridgton, Kenneth Smith and wife, Cynthia of South Portland, Kevin Smith and wife, Kelly of Saco, Kim Smith Dominicus of South Portland, Karen Smith of Auburn and Jan Crocker Bierer and husband, John of Brunswick; three sisters, Eleanor Hersey and husband, Aubrey and Carolyn Dudley and Berla Putney, all of Pembroke; sisters-in-law, Ruthella Clark of Pembroke and Evelyn Clark of S. Berwick; she was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Philip, Wesley and Bertram Clark; and two sisters, Ethel Clark Johnson and Rachel Clark Mills.

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