Elsie Lewis

Lewis, Elsie, 94, January 18, 2009.  Arrangements by Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill.
    BRIDGEWATER – January 18, 2010, Elsie Lewis 94, completed her life’s mission on earth and passed through Heaven’s gates. Elsie was born in Millinocket, Maine, September 3, 1915, to George and Lura (Wass) Walsh.
    Following her graduation from Stearns High School in 1933, she married and moved to Aroostook County.
    Mom lost her mother at the tender age of 12; because she lacked the comfort and attention of a mother, she directed her love and devotion to her children and grandchildren as well as the many nieces, nephews and others who became a part of her life. Once you were accepted into her fold, you became part of her extended family. She was a lady of strong faith and it was that faith that got her through the trials of a failed marriage and the loss of three infant sons. She clung to her faith and shared it freely with those she came in contact with as her desire was that no one pass through her life without the opportunity to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
    At the age of 81, Mom attended computer classes at the Community College in New Port Richey, Florida, and purchased her first computer. Email then became her mode of communication and a good part of each day was spent renewing old friendships and nurturing new ones via the internet. Her grandchildren fondly referred to her as "Techno Gram".
    Elsie was bookkeeper and office manager for E.G. Bates Hardware, Mars Hill for 25 years, a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Florida for 18 years, and a Mary Kay Consultant for many years. She was a member of the Bridgewater Free Baptist Church. In 2008, during the Bridgewater Sesquicentennial Celebration, she was presented the Boston Post Cane as Bridgewater’s Oldest Resident.
    In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by Vaughn C. Lewis, her loving husband of 50 years; sons Victor, Wallace and a stillborn son; a very special son-in-Law Edgar Wheeler; brothers, Fred and Albert Walsh and sisters, Gladys Fitzpatrick and Viola Walls. She is survived by and will lovingly be remembered by daughter Bonnie and husband Wayne McKeen of Island Falls, daughter Dottie Wheeler of Bridgewater and adopted daughter Avis Burnham of Bridgewater; grandchildren Kelly and husband Scott Kingsbury, Debra and husband J.P. Kelleher, Terri and husband George Brewer, Martin and wife Leone Wheeler, Linda and husband Darryn Libby, Mitchell and wife Allison Wheeler. The memory of Nana will always be cherished by great-grandchildren Michelle & Matthew, Meaghan & Scott, Brock, Paul & Anne, Patrick & Erin, Ben, Alexis, Victoria, Jeffery, Edgar II, Jessica, Brody, Lyndsee, Chloe and Jack; great-great-grandsons Samuel and Harper; several nieces and nephews and many friends.
    The highlight of Mom’s week was the Sunday morning visits by her very special friend Keith Wheeler. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Olugbemi and the staff at Central Aroostook Health Center, and the devoted and loving staff of VNA Hospice especially Nurse Jane, Debbie, Karen, Lynn and Deacon Al.
    A celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m. Thursday January 21, 2010, at the Bridgewater Free Baptist Church with Pastors Robert Vaughan, George Perkins Jr. and Mark Carter officiating. Friends may call from 12 noon until time of service at the church. Following the service there will be a time of refreshments at the home of her daughter Dottie Wheeler, 302 Bootfoot Rd., Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate in her memory to VNA Hospice of Aroostook, 2 Water St., Suite 1, Houlton, ME 04730. Arrangements in care of Duncan Funeral Home, 8 Main St., Mars Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.