Florence Caldwell

1932-2015

Flo Caldwell, 83, of Stratton went peacefully into the waiting arms of Jesus on July 26, 2015, surrounded by her family, at her daughter’s home in Stratton.

She was born to Florence Gorman Block in February of 1932, in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from South Philadelphia Girls High School in 1950. She was working at North American Insurance Company when she met John L. Caldwell, a Navy-man from Stratton, Maine, and they were married six weeks later.

Serving her Lord, husband, family and community brought her great delight. She was a self-taught seamstress, making many new outfits out of old garments. Her heart was filled with caring for people, no matter who they were. She served in her local church as a Sunday School teacher for over 55 years, wrote many Christmas plays, sang in the choir, served as the hospitality chairman for many years and helped plan and worked in many vacation Bible School programs.

She loved canning, sewing, crocheting and most of all, giving of herself to her family and community. Side by side, she and John helped develop the Stratton youth program in 1958 and she served as the associate director from 1963-1978. Flo was also very active in the Stratton PTC for many years and served as a Stratton School Board member for over 10 years. For the past 18 years, Flo and John have successfully run the Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry.

She is survived by; her husband of 62 ½ years, John Leslie Caldwell of Stratton; her sons, Rev. David Caldwell and wife Barbara of Columbus, Mississippi, Bruce Caldwell and wife Mary Anne of Manchester, Conn., Rev. Craig Caldwell and wife Kim of Clarksville, Tenn.; her daughter, Lynne Marie Pease and husband Gregory of Stratton; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, scattered from Maine, Connecticut, Mississippi, Tennessee, Newfoundland, Canada and Siberia, Russia.

She was predeceased by her son, James Caldwell.

It was Flo’s wish to have donations made in her memory to the Calvary Bible Church Missions Fund, c/o Calvary Bible Church, POB 222, Stratton, ME 04982.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. with her “Home-Going” service to follow at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Bible Church, 37 Park St., Stratton with Pastor Bruce Townsend officiating. Interment followed at the Upper Cemetery in Eustis and a reception at the Calvary Bible Church. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.

Esther Kelley Gray

1930-2015

Esther ‘Nana’ Kelley Gray, 84, died Monday, July 27 surrounded by her family after a brief illness.

Esther was born on Dec. 1, 1930 to Stanley and Rosalina (Wakefield) Kelley. She was raised in Mapleton by Carroll and Dorothy Coffin.

Esther graduated from Farmington State Teacher’s College with a B.S. in Home Economics. It was there that she met the love of her life, Errol “Bud” Gray. They married in 1953 and moved to Augusta. Esther taught briefly at Erskine Academy prior to raising her two daughters. Later she returned to her teaching career at Cony High School, retiring in 1988.

Esther had many interests and hobbies throughout her life. She could be found fishing with Bud in Rangeley, going on day trips to the ocean, hunting for treasures with her daughter at antique auctions, refinishing furniture, doing meticulous handwork to sell at craft shows, and most importantly, spending Saturdays with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It became a family ritual to visit Nana and Grampa’s house every Saturday. Esther valued family above everything else in her life. She was a selfless, generous, and loving mother and grandmother. Even though her loved ones’ hearts are broken by her loss, they feel so blessed to have had her in their lives for so long.

Esther was predeceased by her parents, Carroll and Dorothy Coffin, and her beloved husband, Bud.

She is survived by a sister, Ella Crocker of Readfield, her two daughters, Kathryn Atty and husband Steve of Cheltenham, England, and Diane Snell and fiancé Brian Plourde of Dresden. Esther is also survived by her three grandchildren; Jennifer Gledhill and husband, Joshua of China, Rick Tatarcyk of Hallowell, and Matthew Snell and his partner, Ashley Robinson, of Westborough, Massachusetts. Also surviving are her three great grandchildren, Addison, Zachary, and Nathaniel Gledhill of China.

At Esther’s request, there will be no visiting hours. A private graveside service will be held.

The family would like to thank the staff at Beacon Hospice for their tremendous care of Esther and a special thank you to Paula Esposito for her loving care during this difficult time.

Memorial donations may be made in Esther’s name to the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Topsham, ME 04086.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com

Christal Ann Crockett Ericksen

1948-2015

Christal Ann Crockett Ericksen, 67, died July 24 at her home in Port Townsend, WA. She was born Jan. 3, 1948, in Skowhegan, ME, to Leroy and Agnes (Fitzmaurice) Crockett. She attended schools in Wilton, ME, graduating Valedictorian from Wilton Academy in 1967.

Christal had a lifelong wanderlust and desire to experience other cultures. In 1975, she flew to Europe with $200 and a backpack. For the next two years, she made her way around the world. Before returning to Maine, she spent six months at a kibbutz in Israel. Thirty years later, she visited that kibbutz, reconnecting with people she worked with so long ago.

Christal would eventually circumnavigate the globe twice, visiting some 75 countries and all continents except Antarctica. Her home was filled with mementos and photographs from her travels. She sent postcards and gifts to her family and friends so they could share her extraordinary experiences.

In 1980, she settled in Port Townsend, realizing her dream of living in the Pacific Northwest. She loved to sip coffee at her kitchen table, enjoying the beautiful view of Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier.

A talented and creative photographer, Christal captured her travel experiences on film. Her wry humor and eye for detail made her pictures memorable—a tiny kitten in a cottage window, the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the curious name of a quaint Irish pub, the deeply tanned face of a Bedouin against pale desert sand. Photography was her passion, and for twenty years, it was also her profession. Many of her photographs lined the walls of her shop, A-1 Hour Photo, where she did custom film processing, graduation portraits, and wedding photographs before retiring in 2012.

Like her family, Christal had a soft spot for animals and always had a cat or two to snuggle with when reading or watching TV. She was a voracious reader with an extensive book collection. That love of reading made her a formidable Scrabble player.

Christal is survived by her son Lonnie White, his wife Cindy, and their daughters Hayley and Erin of Lamoine, ME; sisters Paula Crockett (Martin Gibbins) of Carnation, WA, and Joy Crockett of Wilton; several aunts and uncles (Eleanor Robinson of Bangor, Dora and William Chase of Winston-Salem, NC, Patrick and Loretta Fitzmaurice of Skowhegan, Michael and Harriet Fitzmaurice of Bowdoinham, Lillian Maberry of Freeport, and Francis and Sadie Fitzmaurice of King, NC); many cousins; former spouses Brian White (Erna) of Jay, and Ralph Ericksen of Port Townsend, WA; step-daughters Brenda Ericksen Padilla (Vicente) of Malaga, Spain, Jodi Ericksen Sarti (David) of Seattle, WA, and Veronica Smith Benson (Jeff) of Washington, VA; and several step-grandchildren. She also leaves her dearest friends Eileen Adams and Wayne Dimond, both of Wilton, and her beloved cat Thelma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Cecil and Betty Crockett and Frank and Barbara Fitzmaurice, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, former spouse Ron Smith, and step-daughter Lisa Ericksen.

A gathering to celebrate Christal’s life will take place at the East Wilton Grange Hall on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 2–4 p.m. There will also be a gathering in Port Townsend, WA, on Fri., Aug. 7. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the charity of your choice.

Erla (Keep) Hurlburt

1918-2015

Erla (Keep) Hurlburt, 97, of Farmington, passed away on Sunday evening July 26, 2015, while residing in Glenridge Nursing Home, Augusta.

She was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Fayette, Maine, a daughter of Ezra and Sadie (Webster) Keep. Shortly before Erla was born, her mother received notice that her brother, Earl (who was fighting in the trenches during WWI and who had not been heard from for several months), was alive and well. Erla was named in honor of him.

She attended Fayette schools and graduated from Kents Hill School in 1936.

She married George Hurlburt on Sept. 4, 1946. They purchased a house lot on Middle St. in Farmington, where they built the family home and where she lived for 65 years. She had her flower and vegetable gardens and various fruit plants. Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies.

In her younger years, she was employed in her uncle’s tennis racket factory in New Sharon (currently the site of Imelda’s). She worked as a hairdresser and had a Beauty Shop in the Middle Street home for many years. She had many lifelong customers and for many “dressed their hair” for their funeral, wanting to look their best for the occasion. Her sons grew up with the smell of permanent wave solution!

She took all of the family photos and was noted for her “portrait scalping” ability.

She and her husband enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Triple Town Squares. She enjoyed music all of her life. When music played at the Alzheimer’s Care Center or Glenridge Nursing Home, it triggered a positive response in her and she would be seen tapping her feet or hands to the beat of the music.

She was also a member of the Farmington, Maine Extension Homemakers Group for many years, enjoying the meetings, crafts and trips to various flower shows.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, George Hurlburt, on May 11, 2005, as well as her brother, Francis Keep “Doc” and sister, Katherine Lowe.

Her family would like to thank all of the people in the Alzheimer’s Care Center in Gardiner and at Glenridge Nursing Home in Augusta for all of their help and kindness.

Survivors include their two sons: Norman Hurlburt and partner, Nancy Prince of Wilton; Geoffrey Hurlburt and wife, Ann, of Vassalboro; step-daughters: Sharon Tokarz and husband, Frank of Stoughton, MA. ;Sheila Peavey and husband, Charles, of Florida; Grandchildren: Ian Hurlburt and wife, Suzanne; Joel Hurlburt and wife, Karin Tornell, and their mother Amy Hurlburt, Jill Hurlburt Carlin and husband Frank; Allison Hurlburt, Maureen Crowley and husband Tim, Michelle Andrade, Paul Tokarz and wife, Susan; Shaun O’Neil, Peggy O’Neil, Colleen O’Neil, Cathy O’Neil and Patrice O’Neil; several great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A hopeful thought for all who do not believe in coincidences: Found in her belongings on the day of her passing was her Tennyson Birthday Book, with the writing for July 26 by (Maud.):

“O that ‘twere possible

After long grief and pain

To find the arms of my true love

Round me once again!”

Beside this prose, in her own handwriting, was her father’s name and date of passing, (the same month and day) July 26, 1931.

HURLBURT – died, at Augusta, 7/26/2015, Erla Keep Hurlburt, 97, of Farmington. Private family graveside committal services at Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton. Public memorial services will be held Saturday morning, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. from the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington, with Rev. Richard Dorian officiating.

Following services, a reception will be held at the Center. All are welcome. Remembrance gifts may be given to the Maine General Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Center ATT: Alzheimers/Dementia Unit 40 Glenridge Drive Augusta, ME 04330. Tributes and condolences may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com where her memorial video may also be viewed.

Norman K. Twitchell

1939-2015

Norman K. Twitchell passed away peacefully on July 28th after 76 years of great adventures.

Fifty-five of those years were spent with his wife, Suzanne Luce Twitchell. Both were raised in Farmington and for the past 25 years have shared their time together in their homes in Maine and Florida. Norman is described by an old friend as outgoing, engaging and a “handsome dog” in his youth.

Water skiing in Weld and Rangeley was off season training for his premier sport, alpine racing. Norman won the Maine State Cass A alpine championship, was a high school Ski Meister, attended four Junior National competitions, and captured the Sugarloaf Schuss title when the race was held on Winter’s Way. To wind down after the season, he would ski Tuckerman’s Ravine on his birthday.

After graduating from Farmington High School in 1957, Norman continued his undergraduate education at the University of Maine in Orono with a three-year interim with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He followed this up with a Master’s Degree in science from Colby College. He earned his pilot’s license with the help of the GI Bill.

While teaching in Eastport on Long Island, he flew his 1956 Cessna 182 in continuous round trips between Maine, New York and Florida. While cruising either on a houseboat or later on a trawler called Zan-Bar, the Twitchells managed to explore all of the Great Lakes, conquered the Great Loop Circle and familiarized themselves with much of eastern Canada and the Bahamas, and sailed the Caribbean many times.

The family built their home primarily by themselves on Wilson Lake in Wilton. They loaded, unloaded, hauled and faced 11 tons of Vermont marble for their unique fireplace. Norman served on the SAD #9 School Board, belonged to the Elks and Lions Clubs and the West Farmington Fire Department. He also captained a party barge during the Blueberry Festival for the Friends of Wilson Lake for over a decade.

Norman is survived by his wife, Suzanne; two sons: Richard and John; two grandchildren: Justin and Jessica; and three brothers, Charles, Stephen and Paul. He was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Ava.

TWITCHELL – died, at Wilton, 7/28/2015, Norman K. Twitchell, 76, of Wilton, Maine. A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8th from 2-5 p.m. at the Twitchell Family home on Country Club Road, Wilton. Dress casually and bring a memory (in written form if possible) to share. In lieu of flowers, remembrance gifts may be sent to the Titcomb Ski Club Educational Foundation, PO Box 43 Farmington, ME 04938. Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation services are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center: Cremation Service and Funeral Home.

Helen May Hedge Colburn

1929-2015

Helen May Hedge Colburn, 86, formerly of Wilton, died, Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the Pierce House in Farmington surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born on March 15, 1929, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Croft) Hedge. She grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating from Commerce High School. Helen then went on to receive her certification as a Registered Nurse from the Worcester Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. She was married to her high school sweetheart, David Wesley Colburn on July 28, 1951, and together they raised their three children, Glenn, Susan, and John.

Helen took pride in her career as a nurse and worked 35 years specializing (at different times) in the OR, and obstetrics, and also as a clinical nurse supervisor. She retired in 1985 from Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, Mass.

Helen, “the hellion” as she often referred to herself, was a multi-faceted, spunky woman who truly enjoyed everything life has to offer. She loved gardening and which was reflected by the bountiful flower gardens in bloom at her home in Wilton. She was also an artist, illustrating countless oil paintings for her family. Other talents included braiding rugs and poetry. Helen was an active member of the Wilton Congregational Church, and sang in the choir for many years. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and will be missed greatly.

She is survived by her children, Glenn Colburn and his wife Cindy of Monson, Mass., Susan Pickrell and her husband James of Farmington, and John Colburn and his wife Alison of Westfield, Mass.; grandchildren, Lyndsey Fleming, Caroline Hill, Lauren Colburn, Zachary Pickrell, Nathan Pickrell, Heather Mead, Molly St.Peter, and Neal Colburn; six great grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara Mantula of N.Canton, OH.

She was predeceased by her husband, David in 2010, and a sister, Virginia Kilenen. Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.

COLBURN—died, at Farmington, Helen May Hedge Colburn, 86, formerly of Wilton. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, July 31, 2015 from 5-7 p.m. at Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High St., Wilton, ME 04294. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Wilton, 386 Main St., Wilton, ME 04294 with Rev. David Smith officiating. Remembrance gifts in memory of Helen can be donated to the First Congregational Church of Wilton, Re: Organ Restoration Fund, PO Box 566, Wilton, ME 04294.

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