SOUTH PARIS – The Rev. Gertrude M. Decoteau, 76, of Norway, died Tuesday, May 22, at Market Square Health Care Center.

She was born in Norway on Aug. 9, 1930, the daughter of Norman and Madelyn Cummings Decoteau. She graduated from Norway High School in 1948, and she took classes at Bates College, the University of Maine and ABCOM (American Baptist Churches of Maine).

She had been employed by New England Telephone and AT&T for 35 years. She was a licensed lay minister before becoming interim pastor at Canton Baptist Church. She conducted Sunday worship services in Buckfield, Canton, Otisfield and Oxford.

A lifelong student of the Bible, she took correspondence courses through Moody Bible School as well as many continuing education courses over the years. She was active in the American Baptist Women of the state of Maine, having been state communications chairwoman and social relations chairwoman. She was a state delegate of the Baptist Church of Maine to Green Lake, Wis. Very well-known throughout the state Baptist organizations, she served on the Christian Education Task Force and American Baptist Convention. She was also active in the Western Area Association, having been vice president of the Missions Committee.

She served on the Evangelistic Committee, Christian Education Committee, Constitutional Committee for Oxford County and had been president of Baptist Women’s Work for Oxford County. She became the full-time pastor at East Otisfield Baptist Church, holding that position for the past 23 years. Prior to becoming the pastor, she had been a member of the church for many years.

She was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, youth adviser, trustee, deaconess and served on the pulpit committee and the constitutional committee. She conducted daily vacation Bible schools in Paris Hill, Oxford and Spurr’s Corner. She started a scholarship program through the church for children in the community.

In 2006, the church awarded two $1,500 scholarships to local students. Education was something she was very interested in. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Telephone Company Pioneers, Oxford Hills Area Clergy Association and Stephens Memorial Hospital Chaplain Program.

She is survived by a brother, Norman Decoteau, and his wife, Betty, of South Paris; a nephew, Norman Decoteau of East Wareham, Mass.; three nieces, Martha Beall of South Paris, Pamela McAllister of Oxford and Jean Britton of South Paris; a longtime special friend, Marian Culbert of South Paris; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.