EAST BOOTHBAY – Chalmer Mae Loud Lewis, 73, died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, surrounded by the love of faith, family and friends at Midcoast Hospital, Brunswick.
Chalmer was born Dec. 1, 1937, in New Harbor, to Herbert Wilbur Loud and Estella “Sylvia” Genthner Loud.
She grew up in New Harbor and graduated as salutatorian of the class of 1956 at Bristol High School, where she also carried the lead role in the school play, participated in varsity athletics and was recognized at the state level for her public speaking, which was a skill she carried throughout life. She then went on to the University of Maine, Orono, graduating in 1960 with a degree in elementary education. She met Alan D. Lewis in 1956 at the University of Maine and they were married in October 1959 in New Harbor. During the next seven years, they started their family and lived in several communities throughout the state before settling in Orono. There she began a teaching career that spanned more than 20 years, including time in the Orono, Waterville and Fairfield school systems.
Her passion and ability for teaching grew naturally from her deep seeded love of children. Chalmer was never reluctant to point out that her top priority and overarching goals in life were to have a loving marriage, and to raise a caring family who would take care of each other, even after she was gone. Her five children merely begin the list of those who felt her mothering touch and loving care and affection. With an unfailingly positive attitude, a selfless approach to life and deep compassion, she was a model of kindness. It was said of Chalmer that, it is true that we do not get to choose our mother, but if we could, she would be the one you would choose. Cooking food for family and friends was a source of joy and satisfaction for Chalmer, as it brought people together, made memories and lifted spirits. Inclusive and encouraging of others, she relished opportunities to share her kitchen; friends and family cherished their opportunities to join her there. It would not be uncommon to see four or five of her grandchildren, from ages 2 to 20, simultaneously engaged in the process of cooking with their Nana. Beyond the care she provided to her family, Chalmer would seek out those dealing with adversity to make sure a hot meal or a seat at the table was offered. Chalmer and her beloved husband, Alan, retired to East Boothbay 10 years ago where she was a very active member of East Boothbay United Methodist Church, whose walls are adorned with banners she created in her first years at the church. She was a central figure in the revitalization of the church, while also volunteering with Boothbay Region Land Trust. Chalmer loved visiting the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, but always found her greatest joy in supporting her children and grandchildren’s endeavors.
She also took great joy in being closer to her mother in New Harbor, who she would frequently visit. Chalmer was also a thoughtful and prolific letter writer and many of her notes are among the most cherished possessions of family and friends. Near the end of a valiant fight with a very aggressive form of cancer, Chalmer’s last words to one of her children was a statement she made with great frequency and encapsulated the way she felt about family and that her survivors feel about her: “I love you … always have and always will.”
She was predeceased by an infant son, Alan David Lewis Jr.; father, Herbert Wilbur Loud; brother, Herbert Wilbur Loud Jr.; and niece, Sandra Estella Winchenbach. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Alan D. Lewis of East Boothbay; mother, Estella “Sylvia” Loud Collamore of New Harbor; daughters, Debra Lewis Hogate and her husband, Jonathan, of Skowhegan and Jill Lewis Grogan and her husband, Ray, of Freeport; sons, Benjamin Herbert Lewis and his wife, Lizzie, of Concord, Mass., and Tyler Loud Lewis and his wife, Renee, of Plymouth, N.H.; sister, Elsie Rae Benner of Waldoboro; 11 grandchildren, Amanda Mae Hogate and Jonathan Conor Hogate of Skowhegan, Liam Alan Grogan, Brady James Grogan and Sadie Mae Grogan of Freeport, John Buckner Lewis, Ryan Harrington Lewis, Phoebe Estella Lewis and Annabelle Jordan Lewis of Concord, Mass., Benjamin Michael Lewis and Finnegan Loud Lewis of Plymouth, N.H.; 10 nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. A memorial service to celebrate Chalmer’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at East Boothbay United Methodist Church, Ocean Point Road, East Boothbay. A reception will be afterward at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. A private committal will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Boothbay. Should friends desire, contributions in Chalmer’s memory may be made to East Boothbay United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 11, East Boothbay, ME 04544. Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay. You are invited to share your condolences, photos and tributes with the Lewis family by visiting their Book of Memories at
www.hallfuneralhomes.com.