JEFFERSON – Eleanor Lee Wilson, 98, died Nov. 5, 2012, in Waldoboro. She was born July 15, 1914, in Portland, to Roger Nichols and Martha Chase Nichols.
She grew up in Kennebunkport in the summers and Portland during the rest of the year. She graduated from Portland High School. She was an excellent student and poet, winning awards for her poetry in high school and throughout her life.
She married Robert Wilson in 1936. They lived in Massachusetts and New Jersey while Robert was obtaining his medical training. They then moved to Oklahoma, where he served the country in an Army hospital for three years. At the end of the war they moved to Maine. In 1947 they settled permanently next to Damariscotta Lake in Jefferson. Eleanor was a talented homemaker and seamstress. She made clothes for her children, grandchildren and also for herself. She was a very active 4-H leader for many years and enjoyed going to the fairs, where her club members had exhibits. She was very active in politics and social issues, and was a member of the Women’s Legislative Committee for many years. Locally she served several terms as president of Jefferson Women’s Club and was a staunch supporter of the school and town library. Eleanor was a wonderful Quaker lady, who always saw the best in people. She worked for three years with Beacon Hill Friends, Boston, revising the Faith and Practice Book for the Society of Friends. She was a talented musician – an accomplished harmonica and piano player. She was an independent woman, often riding her bicycle around town, before any ladies of the town would even think of doing such a thing. Eleanor loved cats and had many special ones during her lifetime, including Miss Kitty, in her last few weeks. She had a green thumb and had lovely gardens as did her mother. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who will be sadly missed.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Robert Wilson; son, Robert Wilson Jr.; daughter, Constance Wilson; and daughter-in-law, Melba Wilson. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Martha Collins and her husband, Edwin, of Jefferson; son, Roger Wilson of Bar Harbor; grandchildren, Terry Collins and his wife, Amy, of North Waterboro, Micky Collins and his wife, Lynn, of Pittsburgh, Cynthia Richards and her husband, Ted, of Fayetteville, N.C., and Diane Sare and her husband, Christopher, of Bogota, N.J.; and 14 great-grandchildren. The family is sincerely thankful to the wonderful, caring ladies who helped Mom and allowed her to stay home as long as possible. Additional thanks to staff at Sonogee Extended Care, Bar Harbor, and Cove’s Edge, Damariscotta. Special thanks to the Alan and Nancy Smith family, who gave so much to Eleanor during her last few weeks.
A service to celebrate Eleanor’s life will be 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Friends Meeting House, 48 South Stanley Hill Road, East Vassalboro. After the service a gathering will be held at the nearby Grange hall. Burial will be afterward at Fairview Cemetery, Jefferson. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Eleanor’s memory may be made to American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Eleanor Lee Wilson
