STRONG – Gladys Arlene Lambert, 79, of Strong, formerly of Farmington, died of natural causes at home in Strong on Sunday, April 19, with loving family at her side.

She was born Aug. 30, 1929, in Boothbay, one of six children of Cleveland and Mary Elizabeth (Orchard) Barter. She graduated from Boothbay High School and on Oct. 23, 1948, married Eugene H. Lambert.

When she moved to Farmington and in the early years of her marriage, she was a telephone operator for New England Telephone. When she became a mom, she devoted her time to being a homemaker.

Together, she and her husband raised four daughters, whom they loved dearly. Family time was a priority and they always enjoyed spending time with the next generation of Barter/Lambert offspring. Her beloved husband predeceased her on May 19, 2002.

Arlene, (as she was most often referred to by name,) attended Trinity United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, baking, working on crossword puzzles, shopping and going out to eat.

A native of the Maine coast, she was partial to lighthouses, as they always reminded her of “home.” She was fortunate to have been able to make a family trip to the coast earlier in the weekend, where she was able to enjoy her family and close friends.

She is survived by four daughters, Susan Kennedy and her husband, Jeff, of Strong, Sharon Gilbert and her companion, Rick, of Bryan, Texas, Sonja Walker and her husband, Randy, of Strong and Sheryl Bourgault of Farmington; one sister, Alta Greenleaf of Barter’s Island, Boothbay; nine grandchildren, Kendra Baker and her husband, Kenneth, Jamie Jackson and her husband, Joel, Sarah Ryan and her husband, Lance, Shannon Williams and her husband, Jason, Katelyn Walker, Logahn Walker, Amber Bronish and her husband, Blaine, Bethany Bourgault and Caleb Bourgault; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by four brothers, Ross, Malcolm, Elwell and Warren.