1909 – 2014

NORWAY — On May 6, her heavenly angel came and Edna Maude Bean York, 104, passed on peacefully in the presence of her loving daughters.

She was born in Lewiston on Dec. 27, 1909, a daughter of Herbert I. and Maude Crosse Bean. She attended schools in Lewiston and Albany, graduating from Gould Academy in 1927, the second-highest honor student in the class. Edna taught primary grades in the two-room schoolhouse in East Bethel for two years. She married Robert S. York of Andover on Dec. 6, 1930.

Edna was a star route mail carrier from Bethel to Rumford Point from 1941 to 1945. She owned and operated Bethel Restaurant with her husband from 1945 to 1946. From 1959 to 1972, they lived in various communities throughout Maine. In 1972, following her husband’s death, she returned to Bethel.

Edna was a member of Albany Congregational Church and Bethel Methodist Church. She served as choir director and organist for both churches. She taught Sunday school classes for 40 years, served as youth director for several years and taught a Bible study class for 17 years. She played an active part in the United Methodist Women and the Albany Church Ladies Circle. Edna was a member of the staff at Bethel Public Library for 13 years. She was an honorary member of the Moses Mason Historical Society, where she served as a guide for several summers.

She was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking (noted for her doughnuts), knitting and reading. Coming full circle, she moved back to Albany in 2008, which was her beloved childhood home.

She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Peggy; her son, Barry and wife, Marie; daughter, Betty; son, Peter and his companion, Faye; daughter, Julie and husband, B.J.; sisters, Adelaide Gibbs and Muriel Butters; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by devoted nieces, nephews, friends and those very special people she considered family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert; son Raymond; son-in-law, Franklin; grandson, Michael; great-grandson, Filaray; brother, Herbert; and sisters, Jennie and Florine.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Bess Mahoney, Laurie Cox, Pamela Rugg, her niece Gail Olson and the doctors and staff at Stephens Memorial Hospital for their devoted care.

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

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