1924 – 2014

LISBON — Ethel Mary (Additon) Tebbets, 90, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 24, as a result of a short bout with cancer.

She was born in Auburn on March 22, 1924, the second of five children of the late Orland and Martha (Quimby) Additon. Her parents passed away when she was 5 and 7 years old, so she was raised by her grandparents, Elwin and Mary (Thomas) Additon. In 1937, she was a princess in the first Apple Blossom Festival and appeared in a state of Maine promo ad. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1941, and married Charles B. Tebbets Jr. two weeks later.

Ethel worked full time on their farm in Durham for four years, before buying a farm in Lisbon. They raised Holstein cattle and a large vegetable garden. She jellied, canned and froze lots of fruits, vegetables and meat yearly, also sharing their bounty with others. She worked tirelessly doing chores, fieldwork, being in charge of the cows’ health and raising the calves.

Ethel was recognized by the state and a national magazine for her calf raising program. She was named Twin County Extension Service Outstanding Homemaker in 1968. In July 1973, she hosted Dr. Fred Hutchinson, dean of college life sciences and agriculture at the University of Maine in Orono, for a week while he researched problems and advancing technologies of dairy farming in Maine.

Charlie and Ethel won numerous awards over the years for their progressive farm practices. She loved to make specialty sculptured cakes appropriate for any occasion, with exceptional detailing. She made cheeses that she learned from her grandmother and made clothes for the family.

She was a member of the 4-H Club as a girl, where she met her husband, Charlie. During the 1950s and 1960s, she was a 4-H Club leader for 21 years. For several years, she lectured to second-graders in school on entomology, using the insect collections her sons had developed.

Ethel had been a member of the Maine State Grange for 75 years. After they retired from farming in 1985, they traveled the U.S. and Canada, and visited Alaska three times. They joined United Craftsman of Maine, making wooden toys and novelties to sell at craft fairs. Ethel was a director of the Central Maine Craft Association.

They always had numerous bird feeders. Ethel also enjoyed researching the genealogy history of her and her husband’s families. She was a member of Lisbon United Methodist Church. She looked forward to the monthly luncheons with her Edward Little, Class of 1941, classmates.

Ethel and Charlie raised children of her brother, Roland: Mike from 1964, and Mary from 1968. Both benefited from the loving care of the family, community and healthy living on the Tebbets’ farm. Ethel also cared for her mother-in-law, Elsie Tebbets, during her final months.

Ethel is survived by her daughter, Martha Lawrence, of Lisbon; and her sons, Donald and his wife, Stephanie, of Kennebunk and Charles III and his wife, Pam, of Lisbon. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Dawn Caron and her husband, Mike, of Poland, Randy Small and his wife, Sue, of Lewiston, Julia Tebbets and her spouse, Lori, of Sewickley, Pa., and Jason Tebbets and his wife, Christie, of Lisbon; as well as her great-grandchildren, Alex, Elizabeth and Abigail Small of Lewiston and Owen Tebbets of Lisbon. Also surviving her is her sister, Flora and her husband, David Ramsay, of South Paris; her brother, Larry and his wife, Joan Additon, of North Kingstown, R.I.; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Additon, of Lewiston; brothers-in-law, Ernest Tebbets of Durham and Tom Leon of Auburn, Mass.; nieces and nephews, Mary Barrows of Wells, Larry Doughty of Sharon, Vt., and Karlene Strout of Waterville; and friends, Nancy Wilkins and Jacquie Emond.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie, in 2001; brothers, Roland and Sewall Additon; a nephew, Mike Additon; and an infant, Sandra.

The family wishes to express appreciation to all the family and friends who have shown their love and respect for Ethel during her illness, especially to Dr. Ray Tardiff and nurse, Teri; to Dr. Neil Duval and nurse, Shirley; to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and nurse, Molly; and to Lisbon United Methodist Church. All have been so supportive, caring and respectful.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories of Ethel through her guest book at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.