Lucile Stetson Obituary (1920 - 2015)

Lucile Yensen Stetson 1920 - 2015 AUGUSTA - On Saturday evening, Oct. 3, during the first inning of her beloved Red Sox game, Lucile Yensen Stetson, 95, crossed over into glory surrounded by her loving family at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation. Lucile was born on Aug. 26, 1920, in Santa Ana, Calif., to Veego Arthur Yensen and Hazel Hamilton Yensen. Most of her growing up years was spent in California and Casa Grande, Ariz. She graduated from Newport High School and Santa Ana Junior College. She has worked as a librarian and for Central Maine Power Co. doing data entry/keypunch. She was active with swimming, field hockey and was in a singing group with her cousins. She has an eye for design and was a very talented artist. On New Year's Eve, 1942, she volunteered at a USO dance and ended up with the love of her life. She married George Stetson four months after they met and returned to Maine with him. They bought a farm in Pittston, raised four children, and worked hard to make a good life for their family. Lucile was very active in the community by helping out with 4H, singing in choral societies and with the Bank of Maine Singers, and active with the Maine Women's Legislature. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang at many special occasions. She was also very active in her church activities from teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, missionary society, BLOCS, Love Gift, fund raising, and often helping George wash the dishes after church suppers. She was resourceful and made a lot of clothes for the family and gave haircuts to all. Gardening, canning, making jelly and jam kept a lot of food on the table. After working several years with CMP, Lucile retired in 1982 and began painting. She took classes at UMA and had art shows at Harlow, Renaissance, Slates, and Maine General. She also participated in several Art Walks. She enjoyed bowling, knitting and crocheting, card games, watching the Red Sox and spending time with the family and anyone they brought into the home. There was always a lot of food and love to go around. She was known as 'Mom Stetson' to many. Spoiling grandkids and then great-grandkids was particularly enjoyable for 'Grammy.' As a family we often enjoyed Sunday afternoon road trips and picnics at many beauty spots in Maine, especially Pemaquid Point. Lucile survived cancer twice, but ended up in long term care after the second battle. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, George A Stetson. She is survived by her brother, Robert A. Yensen and his daughter Christy Lee of Long Beach, Calif.; sons, Robert Stetson and wife Cheryl of Bangor, David Stetson and wife Linda of Clinton, daughters Maggie Cook of Chesterville, and Nancy Stetson of Pittston; relatives in California, Arizona, and Wyoming; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; her caregivers at Augusta rehab, loving friends and wonderful church family. She will be greatly missed. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5-7 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Oct 8, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Gardiner. Burial will follow in the Maple Cemetery in Winthrop. In lieu of flowers donations to: Lucile Stetson Memorial Fund at First Baptist Church 47 Church St. Gardiner, Maine 04345 or the Kennebec Valley Humane Society 16 Pet Haven Lane Augusta, Maine 04330