1925 – 2014

YARMOUTH — Elsie Viola Erickson Maynard, 89, of Wilton died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 3, at Bay Square at Yarmouth.

She was born on July 30, 1925, in Worcester, Mass., the only child of Swedish and Finnish immigrants, Joel Erickson and Hulda Back Erickson. She had many wonderful memories of her childhood days in the Auburn and Worcester, Mass., areas.

She graduated from Becker Junior College, where she also began working after graduation. There she met her dearest friend, Rowena (Maynard) Hanson, who introduced her to her brother Ervin “Bud” Maynard. Elsie and Bud were soon married and then moved to Maine for his employment with the Maine Department of Transportation.

Elsie was a stay-at-home wife and mother. She was a longtime member of the Wilton Congregational Church community and enjoyed volunteering and participating in their activities. She was also a longtime member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed crafts, reading and a good cup of coffee. She made some especially close friends in Bev Franchetti, Sheila Kane and Clair Hill while living in Wilton.

Elsie and Bud were fortunate to have many good years after his retirement to do some traveling and see many plays, locally as season ticket holders at the Maine State Music Theatre and in New York City. They were also involved in the lives of their grandsons and especially enjoyed attending their sporting events.

Elsie battled the onset of dementia after Bud’s death in 2006, but she handled it with both courage and dignity.

She leaves behind two sons and their families, Kurt and Patty (Mudge) Maynard of Skowhegan and Steven and Wendy (Day) Maynard of South Portland. She also leaves three grandsons, EJ and Amy Maynard of Baltimore, Md., Ben and Kim Maynard of East Windsor, Conn., and Michael Maynard of Springfield, Mass.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at the Harbor Care Unit within Bay Square at Yarmouth, as well as the CHAN’s Hospice staff and volunteers for their care and compassion. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.