1928 – 2013

NEW SHARON —   Rachel Elaine Luce Newcomb, 84, of New Sharon, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 21.

She was born Dec. 28, 1928, in Farmington, a daughter of Almond and Persis (Wentworth) Luce.

Rachel grew up in Farmington on Mosher Hill and was valedictorian of the Farmington High School Class of 1946. She attended the University of Maine, Orono, and the Portland School of Art prior to her marriage on June 27, 1948 to John L. Newcomb Jr., who predeceased her on Jan. 21, 2003.

While living in Manchester, N.H., Rachel worked at Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. In 1953, they purchased the original Wilton Road property and buildings, which later burned in 1961. Rachel had opened RAJON Kennels for boarding, grooming and bathing all breeds of dogs and raised cocker spaniels for pets and show. Rachel also did art work, advertising for the New England Telephone Co. and for several years painted 4 x 8 oil paintings for promotional purposes for the Pine Tree 4-H Foundation of Maine. She also continued to write poetry in her spare time and was a published poet in As Maine Writes.

Rachel is survived four children, Robin Newcomb and his wife, Pauline, of Montgomery Village, Md.; Joy Turner and her husband, Mark, of Jay; Terence Newcomb and his wife, Andrea, of Mexico and Joanna Eaton and her husband, Royce, of Cherryfield. She leaves 12 grandchildren, Jennifer Kusiak, Amanda Newcomb, Jonathan Turner, Jacob Turner, Jamison Turner, Jennica Turner, Thomas Newcomb, Benjamin Newcomb, Shannon Newcomb, Danielle Eaton, Rachel Eaton and Sarah Eaton; five great-grandchildren and awaiting
the birth of a sixth.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents and a brother, David Luce.

Rachel had a heart of gold and was known for her kindness and generosity. She will be greatly missed by many. Her family would like to thank Thereasa Martin and Jane Tolman for their loving care of their mother, as well as Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with her family on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.