LEWISTON — An hour before midnight on Nov. 11, the Lord gently carried Orlean Bunker Sturgis of New Gloucester, home to be with Him and her beloved husband, Elliott. She passed away at Central Maine Medical Center.

She was born in Lewiston, Oct. 2, 1918, the daughter of Walter and Abbie Ray Bunker. Her parents moved to New Gloucester the following year. Orlean was proud of the fact that she walked to school all 12 years of her education. She graduated from New Gloucester High School in 1935, and from Pelletier’s Beauty School in 1937. She married the love of her life, Elliott Sturgis in 1938. She and her aunt, Dolly Webb, moved to Kittery, where they operated a beauty salon for five years.

In 1942, Orlean and Elliott moved to New Gloucester, raising their two children, and where they lived for 68 years in the same home. She moved to Schooner Estates two years after Elliott’s passing, where she resided until her final illness.

She was an active member of the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester U.C.C. serving as a Deacon, a busy member of the Evening Guild, working on bean suppers and church fairs through the years. She also served as president of the PTA, president of the New Gloucester Alumni Association and as a volunteer at the New Gloucester Library.

She was one of the main organizers of the New Gloucester’s Sesquicentennial celebration. Orlean worked with her husband at their store, Sturgis Store in New Gloucester for 20 years. She was an avid and competitive lover of the game of golf, beating her granddaughter at a game when she was in her early 80s. Her greatest joys were as a homemaker, mother and most especially in recent years being involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Guy Sturgis and his wife, Laura Jane, of New Gloucester; her beloved daughter, Katherine Anderson of Falmouth; a sister-in-law, Jackie Bunker of Mechanic Falls; she will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Melissa (Jon) Elie of Leeds, Matthew (Amy) Sturgis of Gray, Dr. EJ. (Dr. Kristen) Anderson of Rhode Island, and D.Tyler Anderson of Portland; she was fortunate to know and love her seven great-grandchildren, Isaac and Kendra Elie, Alexandra Stevich, Liza Jane Sturgis, Evan, Gabe and Alex Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.

Orlean was predeceased by her adored husband, Elliott; her brothers, Andrew and Charles Ray Bunker; her sister, Aldine Crocker; and a nephew, Gary Crocker.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff of CMMC M-2 for their tender care of our mother and Dr. Cyr for his compassion and helpfulness for us as we sat vigil for her.