1926 – 2016

LEWISTON — Esther Allen Jean, a resident of Lisbon, died Sunday, Oct. 9.

She was born Oct. 8, 1926, in Farmington, daughter of John M. Allen and Leola (Duley) Allen. She graduated from Lewiston High School.

Esther’s working career was in Lewiston. She began her career as a telephone operator for New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. Esther worked in the Hill Division of Bates Manufacturing Co., working in the cloth and card rooms and then in the main office and payroll department. This is where she met her future husband, Gerard H. Jean, who was also an employee at Bates. They married in Manchester, N.H., on Sept. 9, 1950.

Though Esther felt her most important job was raising her three daughters, she had a diverse career beyond the Bates Mill. Esther worked for the city of Lewiston as a clerk in the Traffic Bureau of the Lewiston Police Department for many years. She later became the first female court officer for the city and served as constable at several public gatherings. Esther completed her career as a court recorder with the Maine District Court.

Esther was very active in many civic organizations throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of the Rosary Sodality of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she served in more than one officer position. During her role in supporting the elderly, she coordinated volunteers from the Sodality and the St. Dominic Regional High School Christian Action group, of which her daughter Toni was a member, to visit Marcotte Nursing Home every month with handmade gifts and treats.

Esther also loved music and sang in the St. Patrick women’s choir for many years. Some of the other organizations of which she was an active member included being a volunteer in the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and board member of the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach. As a member of the Lisbon Eastern Star organization, she served as Star Point Ruth.

Business organizations which Esther belonged to include the Lewiston Business and Professional Women’s Club, Lewiston Legal Secretaries, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 22 (secretary) and the Thomas B. Reed Unit of the Maine Parliamentarians (president).

Esther enjoyed exploring her ancestry and traveled to England twice to explore her roots. She loved animals, camping, gardening, and could do just about anything she set her mind to. She was an avid reader. She was a very intelligent, resourceful and forward-thinking, open-minded woman who embraced diversity and instilled these qualities in her daughters, for which they are eternally grateful.

Surviving are her three daughters, Antoinette (Toni) J. Griskivich and husband, Stan, Deborah J. Jean, Katherine J. Mathieu and husband, Leo, and “adopted” daughter, Victoria Wilson; sisters, Josie Levesque and Shirley Keener; brothers, Daniel Allen and Prentice Lander; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father, John M. Allen; mother, Leola Duley Allen; sisters, Anita Ruggiero, Wilma Peterson, Sandra Conderino, June Parrella and Marilyn Lander; brother, John M. Allen Jr.; and former husband, Gerard H. Jean.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.