1926 – 2016

WILTON — Eleanor Joyce Burtchell, 90, of Wilton, left her earthly home on Saturday, Nov. 26.

She was born May 29, 1926, in Wilton, the daughter of Charles Alberton “Bert” and Stella (Plummer) Cook. Eleanor grew up in Weld where she met her future husband, Linwood, in high school. Her father had to move to Portland to work in the shipyard during Eleanor’s senior year, and she subsequently graduated from Deering High School. After graduation, she went to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Defense Department for seven months.

On May 17, 1945, she married Linwood Burtchell. In addition to being a devoted homemaker, she also worked in the accounting department at G.H. Bass and later at the Water Co. for over 10 years. She concluded her working career as a mail route carrier in the Wilton area.

After work, she would come home and work for many hours fulfilling the needs of her family. She was an unselfish woman who always put her family first and did everything she could to ensure their happiness. She worked hard to be sure that she treated each of her children equally. In their words, “She was the best!”

As the family grew, so did her heart. She welcomed seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Linwood, of Wilton; their daughters, Judy Gallant and Sherry Young, both of Vassalboro; their son, Brian Burtchell and his wife, Anne, of Jay; seven grandchildren, Tisha Gay and her husband, Chip, Tami Haschalk and her husband, John “Benji,” Carrie Young, Matthew Young and his wife, Christine, Hannah Burtchell, Tyler Burtchell and Lindsay Burtchell; eight great-grandchildren, Sydnie and Samantha Gay, Devin and Jakob Kennedy, Gabriel and Willlow Haschalk, Taban Young and Maddox Burtchell.

She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Joanne Mayo; brother-in-law, Wayne Mayo; nephew, Gary Mayo; and many cousins.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Androscoggin Hospice nurses, home health aides, the Hospice chaplain and the social worker for their care and love for our mother and for supporting our family. Also, we would like to thank mom’s personal care person, Priscilla Heald of Assistance Plus, who spent many hours taking excellent care of mom. They all enabled us to get through this difficult time.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.