STRONG – Erlene Baston Wood, 86, of Strong, died at her home on Burbank Hill on Thursday, March 8, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Richmond on Aug. 20, 1920, the daughter of Allen and Hazel McMaster Baston. She received her education in Livermore Falls schools.

On July 20, 1941, she married Gene F. Wood.

Mrs. Wood worked as an accountant for Bailey Brothers Garage in her early years and later for Mitchell’s Garage in Strong.

In the 1950s, she served her country as a civil defense plane spotter; during this time she also drove a school bus for the Strong schools.

She was a tireless, energetic worker as a homemaker and in maintaining both vegetable and flower gardens well into her 80s.

She was a talented quilt-maker and made many beautiful handmade quilts for nearly every member of her family. Mrs. Wood also enjoyed reading, bird-watching, nature walks with her dog, and afternoons with family and friends in her summer screen house.

Erlene was an avid fan of professional bull riding, following the PBR series on television each season.

She is survived by her husband, Gene F. Wood, of Strong; two daughters, Sandra Coffren of Strong, and Carole Goodwin of Farmington; a brother, Sherwood Baston of Saco and Pensacola, Fla.; two sisters, Marjorie Oberton of Livermore, and Lorraine Mitchell of Strong; grandchildren, David Pinkham, Scott Pinkham, Ryan Coffren, Randall Goodwin, Kelly Habig, Cheryl Caramagno and Susanne Wright; 11 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was lovingly called “Gram” by many.

She was predeceased by five brothers, George, Ed, Bernard, Vernon and Donald Baston.