AUBURN — It was an honor and blessing to have known Margaret Findlen Amsden, who died June 6, surrounded by her loving husband & family at the Hospice House in Auburn, Maine. While she suffered a long illness, her faith was unyielding, her spirit truly inspirational, and her love a legacy that touched many who will carry it forward for years to come.

Margaret was born and raised in Fort Fairfield, the third daughter of ten children to parents George P. Findlen of Fort Fairfield, and Helena Cassidy Findlen of Andover, Canada. Like her Irish descendants before her, she grew up on a large potato farm on Green Ridge Road, which produced all the food needed for the family and many more through the Great Depression and beyond.

A graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, she went on to study practical nursing at Madigan Memorial Hospital in Houlton until she met the love of her life, Raymond E. Amsden of Detroit. They married on October 21, 1944, had nine children, and went on to raise their family on a potato farm in Fort Fairfield. They moved to Newport, in the early 1970s, when Raymond continued a career with Farmer’s Home Administration.

After raising her children, Margaret worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Pittsfield Nursing Home and at the Nokomis Regional High School lunch program. Being a mother was her career, her devotion and her avocation. She selflessly nurtured and encouraged her children to be all they could be and passed on her many gifts and abilities. She was an expert seamstress, cook, knitter, quilter, singer, and dancer. She published a cookbook, “My Favorite Recipes,” knitted many pairs of mittens, and sewed heirloom quilts, dolls and clothing for herself and her girls. Margaret and Raymond were members of the Lords and Ladies Square Dancers in Dexter for over 35 years.

After relocating to Montello Heights in 2009 and celebrating over 66 years of a successful marriage, Margaret, is survived by her beloved husband, Raymond; one sibling, William Findlen; and all of her 9 children,Joseph Amsden, Marie Hayes, Patricia Flynn, James Amsden, Richard Amsden, Joanne Yestramski, Robert Amsden, Steven Amsden, Katherine Amsden, and their partners; 25 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Margaret was predeceased by her granddaughter, Tara Hayes Lilly, in December 2007.

Donations, condolences, and a photo tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.