LEWISTON – Esther Gertrude Lema, 82, of Lewiston, entered into eternal rest on Saturday Aug. 7, at Marshwood Nursing Home after a 20-year battle with cancer.

She was born June 1, 1922, in Ipswich, Mass., the daughter of James C. and Gertrude Tibbetts Hirtle.

Esther spent most of her life helping others. She was employed as a home health aide for many years on Cape Cod before moving to Lewiston. She then continued her passion for helping others and worked for Androscoggin Home Health for 30 years, until she retired at age 74.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Ann Rand and her husband Richard of Augusta; her granddaughter, Heather (Walton) Fortier and her husband Ray of Connecticut; and two great-grandchildren, Amanda and Raymond Fortier of Connecticut, along with “the baby,” Noelle. She is also survived by two sons, Timothy Glynn Lema of Oregon, and Richard Anthony Lema of Rhode Island, and his son Jamal and granddaughter Palena, both of California.