AUBURN — Ethel C. Meulendyke, 85, of Auburn died May 8, with her children at her side, after a short illness. She was the widow of Capt. Bruce Meulendyke, USN (Ret).

She was born in Canajoharie, N.Y., Nov. 15, 1925, to the late Paul V. and Anna (VanEvera) Chadsey.

After attending college, she was an elementary teacher and a librarian. She lived in Old Saybrook, Conn., for 30 years, before moving to Schooner Estates in Auburn. She enjoyed living at Schooner for the past 10 years, where she organized the library and several reading rooms around the housing facility.

Ethel always made the effort to volunteer her time at her church in Old Saybrook and in the community. She enjoyed traveling, following the Red Sox and spending time with family. Ethel took tremendous pride in her children. She also enjoyed spending the summer months at her camp in Bridgton.

Survivors include her sons, Steven Leonard of Biddeford and Thomas Leonard and his wife, Claire, of Lyman; her daughter, Barbara Leonard of South Paris; grandchildren, Bryan and Sierra Leonard of Lyman; and stepdaughter, Ann-Marie Meulendyke and her fiance, Charles Vaughan, of New York City.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff and residents of Schooner Estates for making her life there so enjoyable. In addition, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice were especially helpful in Ethel’s last weeks.