BRIDGTON – Eleanor Hebb Stearns, 94, died Aug. 12, at the Bridgton Health Care Center in Bridgton, where she had been a resident for the past year.

She was born Feb. 25, 1913, to the late Dr. Angus and Jane Simpson Hebb of Bridgton, the youngest of nine children.

She graduated from Bridgton High School in 1931 and continued her education at Gorham Normal School.

She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Lovell. She chose marriage over a teaching career when she married Fred Stearns of Lovell in 1939, because married, female teachers were not hired at that time. During their early married years, both were employed by Rudy Vallee at his lodge on Kezar Lake, Ellie as waitress and inside worker, and Fred as outside caretaker. They moved to Waterford, where they raised their family.

She helped organize the Waterford PTA and served as its first president. Later she served on the school board. She assisted Fred in his various endeavors, most notably the orchard, where she supervised the packing operation and bookkeeping. She was warm, caring and gave to others in an especially generous manner. Her devotion extended even beyond her family. At two different times, she took a neighbor into her home assisting them though the last years of their lives. Her mother lived with them for 13 years, and the Hebb family housekeeper and nanny spent her final years with Ellie and Fred. She was happiest when helping someone else.

She is survived by three daughters and their spouses, Sarah and Dale Lord of Harrison, Judy Whitney of Veazie, Martha and Richard VanSteenburgh of Hudson, Mass.; one son and his partner, Mark Stearns and Robin Adams of Albany; as well as seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Fred, in 1989; three brothers, Gordon, Henry and Phil Hebb; sisters, Marjorie Golmis, Grace Niemeier, Frances Morse, Marian Arris and Dolly Sanborn; and a son-in-law, Al Whitney.

The family expresses a special thanks to the dedicated and caring people at the Bridgton Health Care Center and the Beacon Hospice.