BANGOR – Estella W. McLean, 93, of Bangor, formerly of Farmington, passed away Sept. 20, 2025, at her home. Stella was born August 5, 1932 in New Gloucester, Maine, the daughter of Herbert Waterman and Thirza (McConkey) Waterman of New Gloucester. She had six siblings: Older brothers Walter, Donald, Robert “Bob”, Elbert “Nick”, Willard “Bill” and younger sister Cathryn.

Stella grew up on Hillsdale Farm in New Gloucester and graduated from New Gloucester High School in 1950, Boston University Sargent College 1954, and The University of Maine 1968 with a Master’s Degree in Education. She moved to Farmington in the Fall of 1954 and in 1955 was married to Warren “Bud” McLean. They had two children, Karen and Alan.

For six years Stella taught physical education and coached field hockey, basketball and softball at Farmington High School. After her children were born she returned to teaching and coaching at The University of Maine Farmington. She taught physical education and coached field hockey and basketball there for the next 21 years until her retirement in 1985. After her retirement she volunteered with the Mt. Blue High School and Farmington Middle School field hockey and basketball programs. Stella truly loved coaching and being part of a team.

Stella was well known for her prowess on the basketball court in her youth, and as a pioneer in the promotion and development of Intercollegiate competition for women in Maine. In 1990 she was honored by the Maine Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women as one of the founding members of the organization and for her 24 years of service. Stella was also inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame as a “Legend of the Game” in the inaugural class.

When not teaching and coaching, Stella and husband Bud traveled and camped extensively. Often joined by members of their family and many close friends, the McLeans visited all the Canadian Provinces along with all of the US States bordering Canada and road tripped along the entire Eastern Seaboard. Among Stella’s favorite trips were their four cross country drives from Maine to Alaska, as well as separate visits to Yellowstone National Park where sister Cathryn and her family lived, and Banff National Park and Lake Louise in British Columbia.

Stell loved and enjoyed her family. She looked forward to large gatherings, holidays, and organizing family reunions. She loved “Grammy sitting” for her three grandchildren, and as they got older, she enjoyed cheering them on at all of their activities. Getting to celebrate her grandchildren’s accomplishments and being able to meet her great-grandson were highlights for Stella.

Stella was predeceased by her six older brothers and her husband Warren H McLean who passed in 2003 after 48 years of marriage. She is survived by daughter Karen Harris and husband Alan Harris, her son Alan MacLean and wife Kimberly MacLean; her grandson Kyle Harris and wife Samantha Harris, her granddaughter Audrey MacLean and husband Eric LeFlore, her granddaughter Grace MacLean Slattery and husband Joseph Slattery; and her great grandson Warren J. Slattery.

A Celebration of Stella’s life will be held Nov. 8, 2025, with a service at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester, with reception immediately following, then gathering at the Upper Gloucester Cemetery.

Charitable donations may be made in Stella’s

memory to:

the Michael J. Fox –

Parkinson’s Foundation or to:

The New Gloucester Historical Society

PO Box 531

New Gloucester, ME 04260