SOUTH PARIS – June Brown Bachelder, 96, of Norway, passed away on Friday, Aug. 27, at Market Square Health Care Center.

She was born in Albany on May 1, 1908, where she grew up on a farm and attended the Dresser Rural School. In 1926, she graduated as salutatorian from Bridgton Academy and then from Farmington State Normal School in 1928.

Her first teaching position was at the two-room South Waterford Elementary from 1928 to 1931. From 1931 to 1938, she taught in Norway and North Waterford schools. She married W. Graham Bachelder on Aug. 30, 1938, and they resided on several farms in Norway and Norway Center where she enjoyed her flower gardens, raising and preserving vegetables and berries. She was well-known for her inquiring mind and love of nature.

In 1956, she resumed her teaching career in Welchville and Norway Elementary schools until retiring in 1968. Mrs. Bachelder was active in the Rebekahs, taught Sunday school in several churches and served as a 4-H Club leader and enjoyed The Barton Reading Club for several years.

She was an enthusiastic advocate of education and in 1964 was elected to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an international honor society for women teachers. She was also a member of the Maine State Retired Teachers Association, the Oxford County Retired Teachers Association and the National Educational Association.

In addition to dedicating her energies to her beloved husband and children and grandchildren her passion in life was nature and conservation. In that realm, she was an enthusiastic member of and secretary for the Twin Town Nature Club, often leading programs. She was a member of the East Stoneham United Church of Christ. In recent years Mrs. Bachelder enjoyed Bible study at the South Paris Congregational Church.

She is survived by her children, Margaret B. Dutil, of Norway and Candace B. Cummings, of Waterford; six grandchildren, Laurie K Beals, of Springvale, Eric T. Beals, of Lyman, Adam P. Dutil, of Norfolk, Va., Alan J. Dutil, of Auburn, Scott G. Stearns, of Waterford and Mark A. Stearns, of Waterford; six great-grandchildren, Evan T. Beals, of Wells, Elizabeth A. Beals, of Lyman, Trevor Graham Beals, of Lyman, Fred K. Stearns, of Waterford, Forrest A. L. Stearns, of Waterford and Zoe A. M. Stearns, of Bethel; and several nieces and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, W. Graham Bachelder on Oct. 4, 2001.

Copy the Story Link