LEWISTON — Alverna (Weld) Strout, 97, of Auburn passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Montello Manor in Lewiston.

She was born in Dixfield on July 21, 1920, to Arthur C. Weld and Ethel (Drown) Weld. She attended Dixfield schools and graduated in 1939 as class valedictorian. She later attended the Auburn School of Commerce where she was to meet her future husband.

She settled in Auburn and worked at the Franklin Co. in Lewiston until her marriage on June 1, 1952, to Clifford H. Strout in Mechanic Falls. They maintained a home there for 51 years until his death Aug. 6, 2003.

In later years, she worked at Elm Street School in the lunch program and summers at the Tripp Lake Camp Laundry.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading and knitting. Throughout her life, she was an avid Red Sox fan, enjoyed the jumble and crossword puzzle in the daily paper, and a good cup of tea in her favorite brown mug.

She was a life member of the Eastern Star having served as worthy matron and then secretary for 13 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Marcia, and her honorary daughter, Cheryl Burns of Auburn, with whom she lived after giving up her apartment four years ago.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Alzada Hiitt, and two brothers, Burchard and Leslie Weld.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Montello Manor and the Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice nurses and aides who took such good care of Alverna these past six months.

Condolences can be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com.