MOUNT DESERT – Juanita Elyone Means Lanpher, 94, died peacefully June 8, 2013, after a short illness at an Ellsworth nursing home. She was born May 2, 1919, in Unity Plantation, daughter of Charles and Eunice (Reynolds) Means.
Juanita graduated from Unity High School in 1937 and grew up on the family farm with her brother, Charles; and sister, Gertrude. She traveled to Mount Desert Island to work one summer where she met her husband-to-be, Charles Lanpher and was married in 1941. They lived in the home they built together in Somesville and remained married for 49 years until his death in 1990. Her career spanned a number of jobs, including Crobb Box Factory during World War II, as a storekeeper for Viner Richardson, and as a ladies maid for Margaret Ayre Barnes until her death in 1967. During her final employment, after advancing through the postal system, she retired as postmaster of Hulls Cove Post Office. With her wry humor, whenever she was incorrectly addressed as postmistress, she would respond, “Uncle Sam doesn’t pay me enough to be his mistress.” In addition to her work, she was a dedicated member of her church, Somesville Union Meeting House, where she served in various roles, including superintendent of the Sunday school. Always active in the community, she was a member of Somesville Sewing Circle and Mount Desert Literary Club, as well as being an avid reader at Somesville Library. Even in her retirement she kept busy as the Somesville Socials correspondent for Bar Harbor Times. She pioneered being one of the first to deliver her digital column on floppy disks to the newspaper in 1990, writing a total of 504 columns throughout the years. Just to prove that she could, she attended and completed a class in psychology at University of Maine, Orono. Whenever she had the chance, she and her husband traveled, crossing the U.S. twice and visiting 47 of the 48 contiguous states, as well as trips to France and England. She also visited Puerto Rico as a Maine representative for the National League of Postmasters convention. She bought a camper and traveled with her husband all throughout New England with the “Downeasters” for whom she was also the secretary/correspondent. Even in her 80s, she would drive to Texas in the winter to visit with her sister, Gertrude and brother-in-law, Horace Ricker.
Juanita is survived by her a brother, Charles Means; sons, Eric and wife, Terri, and Dwight; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to call noon-1 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert, where a service of remembrance will begin 1 p.m. Gifts in Juanita’s memory should be directed to Somesville Union Meeting House, P.O. Box 96, Mount Desert, ME 04660. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Juanita Elyone Means Lanpher
