1943 – 2014

NORWAY — Lynn Eldridge, 70, of Megquier Hill in Poland, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 30, at Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway, with friends by her side.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 4, 1943, she was the oldest of three children. She grew up in Greenock, Pa., until the age of 4, when she moved to Coopers Plains, N.Y. Later, her family moved to Greensburg, Pa. She graduated in 1965 from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va. After college, she earned her master’s in social work from the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Lynn married William Eldridge on June 10, 1967, at the First Baptist Church in Greensburg, Pa. After marrying, the couple resided in Philippi, W.Va. William completed his degree at Alderson-Broaddus College, while Lynn worked as a social worker at the Clarksburg VA Hospital. The couple moved to Maine in 1968 and eventually settled in Poland, where they raised their two daughters, Jennifer and Leah.

She dedicated her time to helping others by working at the Bangor Community Counseling Center, Pineland and Tri-County Mental Health. She earned her master’s degree in counseling at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham and began working for SAD 17 at Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in 1987. In addition to working as a counselor, she had a private practice where she provided therapy for families with a focus on children.

As an active member of the First Universalist Church of Auburn, she dedicated most of her time to the religious education program as a teacher and leader. She was active in local politics, as well as the Poland Historical Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Poland Spring Preservation Society.

She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William Eldridge; daughter, Jennifer Bourget and husband, James, and their four children, Jacob, Rachael, Andrew and Marta, of Delaware, Ohio; daughter, Leah Galipeau-Eldridge and husband, Sean, and their daughters, Emma, Willa and Brenna, of Otisfield; brother, James and his wife, Nancy, of Greenwood, S.C.; brother, Dennis and his wife, Marlene, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and many special nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Lynn loved her family and took great pride in being an active and constant part of her grandchildren’s lives. Her passion for gardening was evident in her beautiful gardens and the plants she sold. Pastimes included avid reading, bird-watching, kayaking and socializing with her wonderful friends, visiting the ocean and Boothbay Botanical Gardens, celebrating holidays and birthdays with family and friends and spending time at her camp on Taylor Pond.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

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