Mary H. (Major) Elwell

LEWISTON – Mary H. (Major) Elwell, 87, of Wilton / Turner, Maine, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021, St. Mary’s D’Youville Pavillion. Mary was born on Jan. 31, 1934, in Lewiston, Maine, to David and Veronica (Sturtevant) Major of West Minot, Maine. She graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, in 1952. She continued her education at UMF and Leadership Courses through the years. Married to Richard “Dick” Elwell in 1952 and they had four children. In 1966 they purchased the Mountain View Orchard farm on Orchard Drive in Wilton, Maine. In 1968 they opened The Apple Core farm stand in East Wilton. The Apple Core was known for its cider, apples, donuts, cinnamon twists (lamb’s tails), lobster and Christmas trees.


Mary was very involved with the University of Maine Extension Service holding many offices and serving on the State Board. At the Extension Service she rose to the President of Maine Extension Homemakers (1988-1990), Vice President Eastern Region Public Policy Director for Family and Community Education (1991-1994) and the National Foundation Board of Directors, Family and Community Education (1994-1996). While on the National Foundation, Mary was very involved in the Children and Television Education Project. Mary and Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) performed together at the national meeting to promote children education through television programming. She was instrumental in the creation of the Children’s Television Network on PBS and the revised movie rating system in use today. In 1991, as part of the Bridges for Peace delegation to Russia, Mary went to Russia as a peace ambassador with the Maine delegation. The Bridges of Peace organization sent people from the USA to Soviet Union, followed by people from Soviet Union to the USA, to create better understanding and relationships between the two countries. Mary was visiting a school in Siberia when she mentioned she had seen everything but a reindeer. A short time later she was notified that a Soviet Military helicopter was en-route to the school to transport her to see a reindeer herd in the arctic circle. Mary got to touch, feed and ride in a reindeer drawn sleigh courtesy of the Soviet Military and a local farmer.

The next summer Mary hosted the delegation from the USSR. Mary brought the delegation to her favorite place on earth, CAMP. The USSR Communist Party Leader, Sergei Skvortsov, was very impressed with the freedom of movement and the local grocery store. The delegation was overwhelmed by the abundance of ice cream choices available because Mary had forgotten to purchase the Butter Brickle Ice Cream. The delegation originally thought the store was USA propaganda, but after observing shoppers, came to realize it was a normal grocery store in America.

Mary was a Career Counselor and Job Developer for Western Maine Community Action Career Center (1981-2000), Housing Director at Rural Community Action Ministry-RCAM (2001-2006), and Loan Officer RCAM (2006-2009).

Mary’s hobbies include quilting, painting, scrapbooking, and embroidery. She loved being at camp surrounded by family and friends more than anything.

Mary is survived by her children, Brenda Sanborn (Carrabella, Fla.), Janet White and husband Roger (New Portland, Maine), Steven Elwell and wife Julie Gomez (Lewiston), Kevin Elwell and wife Leigh (Dixfield), ex-son-in-law, Randy Drown, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s D’Youville Pavilion for their compassionate care and love for Mary. In remembrance of Mary’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to your favorite charity or please consider helping someone today, tomorrow, and every day that is not having a good or safe day. Mary will be missed…

Family and friends are invited to call at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (Rt 2 & 27), Farmington, Monday, June 21, 2021 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday afternoon June 22, 2021, at 1:00pm from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Middle Street, Farmington, with Father Paul Dumais as celebrant. Following Mass, graveside services will be held at Lakeview Cemetery, Rt 2, Wilton. Mary’s family invites all to a comfort reception at the Wilton Loins’ Den (formerly the Wilton American Legion Hall), Main Street, Wilton. Memories may be shared in her Book of Memories at http://www.wilesrc.com.



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