LEWISTON — Evelyn Theresa Stebbins, 70, of Dryden died Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Central Maine Medical Center.

She was born on July 7, 1941, in Fredericton, NB, Canada, a daughter of Leo Simon and Gertrude (Nash) Lewey. She attended and graduated from Fredericton schools.

On May 30, 1957, she married Donald P. Stebbins Sr. at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Russell, Mass. Evelyn worked at Electro Flex in Bloomfield, Conn., which is where she met and married her husband of 53 years. Evelyn then became a homemaker and enjoyed the time spent raising her children. After moving to Maine with her family, she and her husband owned and operated Stebbins A.G. in Dryden for 15 years. Evelyn dedicated her time as a literacy volunteer for Mt. Blue Adult Education Center. After the sale of their business, she worked part time at the Colonial Valley Motel in Farmington as a desk clerk.

Evelyn began having heart problems which resulted in her needing a heart transplant. She was flown from Maine Medical Center in Portland to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. She became a heart transplant recipient on May 6, 1994.

She enjoyed basket making, knitting and playing bingo. She was also very proud of her full-blooded Native American heritage.

She is survived by her children, Donald Stebbins Jr. and his wife, Pamela, Bernadette Stebbins Bessey, Keith Stebbins and his wife, Gianna, Brian Stebbins and his wife, Wendy and Michael Stebbins; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Bessey, Kyle Stebbins, Ashley Stebbins, Tyler Stebbins, Briana Stebbins, Olivia Stebbins and Philip Stebbins; her siblings, Mary Harris and Leonard Lewey, both of Canada.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donald; and a sister, Glenna Finnemore.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Evelyn’s family at www.wilesrc.com.