MONMOUTH — Celia Vose Sawtelle, 86, a longtime resident of Monmouth, died unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

She was born at home in Kingfield Jan. 7, 1925, along with her twin sister, Annette, to G. Dane and Josephine Thompson Vose. She graduated from Farmington High School, Class of 1942, and Farmington Normal School. She married Cecil Sawtelle of Industry in 1944.

Celia began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in The Forks, worked at the Henry L. Cottrell School in Monmouth and after retirement served several terms on the School Board. She was a member of the United Church of Monmouth and participated in various capacities.

Celia and Cecil helped establish the Vestry Thrift Store, where she volunteered many hours each week; this vital community organization’s good works will be part of her legacy.

Her primary interest was her family. She enjoyed keeping up with everyone’s activities and was very proud of all of them. A talented folk artist, she created many unique tole-painted Santa figures and other hand-crafted items for her family over the years.

She also enjoyed watching the Red Sox and the Boston Celtics, doing crossword puzzles and other word games, and birdwatching — just recently adding a red-bellied woodpecker to her “life list.”

She left this world as she had wanted, in good health and peacefully, at her home. She had very recently visited or spoken with loved ones, including her twin sister, her children and several of her extended family.

She is survived by six children, William Sawtelle and his wife, Charlotte, of Sidney, Betty Jo Wade and her husband, Elton, of Litchfield, Janice Enos and her husband, Michael, of Orrington, David Sawtelle and his wife, Denise Deschenes, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., Julie Sawtelle of Monmouth, and Jayne Sawtelle and her husband, Michael Quinn, of Portland. She is also survived by her twin sister, Annette Vose Brackett and her husband, Tom, of Farmington. Celia had several much-loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many very dear nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

She was predeceased by her husband, Cecil, in 2002; and their son, Alan, in 1986.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.