1921 – 2014

AUBURN — Ilda A. Witham, 93, formerly of Crowley Road, Lewiston, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Oct. 30, at Clover Health Care.

Born on March 26, 1921, in Visalia, Calif., she was one of a family of 13 children, the daughter of the late Harold and Addie (Crocker) White.

She was a graduate of Lewiston High School, Class of 1939.

Ilda worked in her younger years at Crowley’s Flower Shop in Lewiston.

On Sept. 6, 1941, she married Dana E. Witham at the Clough Meeting House, and they moved into the house that Dana built.

Ilda busied herself with raising three children and also enjoyed working with her hands, cooking, sewing, basket making with her sister, Annie, rug braiding, and visiting with and entertaining missionaries who were guest speakers of the Lewiston South Baptist Church.

Her grandchildren proudly own quilts that she made upon each of their high school graduations. Ilda will also be remembered for her cinnamon buns, molasses cookies and the potato salad she made during summer family gatherings.

She was a lifelong member of the South Lewiston Baptist Church, where she was the financial secretary for more than 40 years, also serving as deaconess, Sunday school teacher and a member of the mission board.

She will always be remembered for her heartwarming smile and her love for others.

Ilda is survived by three children, Ralph Witham and his wife, Nola, of Sibley, Iowa, Edward Witham and his wife, Waltha, of Lisbon and Patricia Dutille and her husband, the Rev. Kenneth, of Montville; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Donsig and husband, Allen, of Lincoln, Neb., Thomas Witham of Little Rock, Iowa, Timothy Dutille and wife, Julie, of Rockport, David Dutille and wife, Holly, of Gardiner, Melissa Smith and husband, James, of Rota, Spain, Carl Witham and wife, Michelle, of Mendon, Mass., Adam Witham and wife, Nikki, of Needham, Mass., and Brian Witham and wife, Christine, of Jaffrey, N.H.; 12 great-grandchildren, Alexandra Super and husband, David, Matthew and Laura Donsig, Brendon, Gunnar, Cage, Abigale and Carter Witham, Ashlyn, Caleb and Isaac Dutille and Jaden Smith. She is also survived by two sisters; Annie Charpentier and husband, Roland, of Lisbon and Harriet Stilkey of Sabattus; two brothers, Donald White of Lisbon and Harry White and wife, Berle, of New Gloucester.

Besides her parents, she is predeceased by husband, Dana, who died on Sept. 11, 2006; seven sisters, Pauline Nelson, Dora Nelson, Ellen Mae Larrabee, Gertrude White, Betty White, Leta White and Alfreda Jane White; and by one brother, Richard White.

A very special thank-you to the staff at Clover Health Care and the Androscoggin Hospice for their tender care and compassion.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.