LEWISTON – On Thursday, June 22, Elizabeth J. Steele, 77, of New Gloucester, with her family lovingly surrounding her, left peacefully for her heavenly home after a brief illness.

She was born in Dexter on Jan. 26, 1929, to Alice Rose Gero and Alcide Nadeau; she was an inspiring beacon of unwavering strength, hope and love to all of those who knew her – especially her children and grandchildren. She dedicated her entire life to caring for children. First and always, as a devoted, selfless mother to her six children, and also as a preschool teacher for 27 years at the Head Start program on Bates Street in Lewiston.

After retirement, she volunteered at Memorial Elementary School in New Gloucester. She was a Gold Star Wife and an active member of the Lunn-Hunnewell Amvets Post 6 in New Gloucester. She held the positions of Americanism and scholarship officers and worked many bean suppers and fundraisers. She loved knitting, crocheting and quilting. She often knitted mittens and scarves for the underprivileged children she taught. She was always an avid reader, loved gardening and bird-watching.

She was married twice. In her first marriage to Rodney M. Hathorne in April, 1944, she raised six children. Her marriage to John Q. Steele on Oct. 19, 1973, marked the beginning of some of the happiest years of her life. They traveled extensively (her favorite destination was Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia), spent time with their grandchildren, and enjoyed a heartfelt companionship and love that endured John’s passing in 1997.

Eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and six children, Rodney M. Hathorne Jr., his wife, Georgeanne, of Litchfield; Bartello R. Hathorne, his wife, Donna, of New Gloucester; Nathaniel Hathorne, his wife, Donna, of Minot; Theresa R. Hicks of Lisbon, Miriam M. Thibaudeau, her husband, David, of Auburn; and Stephen J. Hathorne, his life partner, Paul Cyr, of Portland; survive her. One son, Daniel; two grandchildren, Seth and Roger; and her half-sister, Alice Barron, predeceased her. She will be deeply missed by her cat, “Precious.”