1934 – 2013

LEWISTON — Madelyn H. Crafts, 78, of Lisbon Falls, passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, following a short illness at Central Maine Medical Center, with her loving family at her side.

She was born in Bath on Sept. 11, 1934, a daughter of the late John Walter and Flora (Wyman) Thayer. She attended schools in the Bath area, graduating from Morse High School in 1952. On July 3, 1952, she married the love of her life, John Crafts, and they celebrated their 61 years together this past July.

Madelyn and John lived most of their life in the Lisbon Falls area, where together they worked and raised their young family of five children. She was a loving and caring homemaker who dedicated her life to caring for her family. Her faith was her strength in life and she was an active member of the Lisbon Falls Baptist Church. In her younger days, she enjoyed candlepin bowling, snowmobiling and volunteering for the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Ladies Missionary Society, and being a Boy Scout leader.

She was an avid follower of the Red Sox, a snow bird who loved wintering in Florida, yet after a few months was ready to return home to her family. She was known as an outstanding cook and took great joy in cooking for others. At the end of the day, though, the center of her life was her family and her Heavenly father, God.

Madelyn is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, John Crafts; five children, David Crafts and wife, Cheryl, of Lisbon Falls, Sue Crafts of Lisbon, Randall Crafts and wife, Karen, of Lisbon Falls, Dale Crafts of Lisbon Falls and Beth Bell and husband, Gordon, of Auburn; 17 grandchildren, Jennifer Caldwell and husband, Chris, Shannon Morris and husband, Dan, Jay Crafts and wife, Kirsten, Heidi Whisman and husband, Cory, Jan Arsenault, Luke Arsenault and wife, Jessica, Bridget Burkhardt and husband, Jeff, Katie Crafts, Ashley Grenier and husband, Darrell, Bobbi-Lee Jeselskis and husband, Randy, Kellianne Amezcua, Emily Crafts, John Crafts, Dale Crafts, Clayton Crafts, Jeffrey Haggerty and Annalise Haggerty; 23 great-grandchildren, Kyle Dyer, Courtney Caldwell, Elizabeth Lawrence, Kadin Lawerence, Nathan Morris, Delaney Morris, Connor Crafts, Parker Crafts, Chase Arsenault, Lilly Whisman, Zoe Blais, Kloey Arsenault, Hank Arsenault, Hunter Burkhardt, Elle Burkhardt, Adeline Burkhardt, Gavin Grenier, Emma Grenier, Calvin Jeselskis, Grant Jeselskis, Brody Jeselskis, Leighton Jeselskis and Ravenna Amezcua; a sister, Flora Reed and husband, John, of Woolwich; brothers-in-law, Charles Card and James Young; and her beloved pet, “Benji.”

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Grace Young, Elsie Card and Carol Mack and husband, John Mack; and brother, John Walter Thayer II and wife, Verlyn Thayer.

The family wishes to thank and praise the staff at Central Maine Medical Center Single Stay Unit (Y3) for an incredible job caring for and comforting our mother and family.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Crafts family by visiting their guest book at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.