Florence G. (Brideau) Newell 1928 – 2021 FARMINGDALE - Florence G. Newell of Farmingdale, ME passed away November 3, 2021, in Augusta, ME following several years of failing health. She was born in Corinth, ME on January 25, 1928, to the late Pierre Edmond (Edward) Brideau and Bertha M. (Bickmore) Brideau. She grew up in a number of places throughout Maine following her dad who worked as a woodsman. While living in Gardiner, ME, she met and married Frank Alfred Newell, SR who had just returned from serving in the Navy during WWII. They were married for almost 50 years prior to his death in 1996. Together they built a house on Bowman St in Farmingdale where they raised their nine children. Several years later, following the death of Frank, she married John Newell, her brother-in-law, who had also been widowed and gained four stepchildren. Florence was a hardworking, dedicated, and loving mother and a resourceful homemaker at a time when there were not a lot of modern conveniences. She was a long-time member of the Winter St Baptist Church in Gardiner and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She was predeceased by her parents, husbands Frank Newell Sr and John Newell, brothers George Marshal Simmons, Irving Simmons, Lyle Simmons and Donald Brideau; sister Bernice Provost; a stepson, John Newell and several grandchildren. She is survived by her daughters Madeliene Huntington of Augusta ME, Dorothy Morang of Farmingdale ME, Mary Hickenbottom and her husband Paul of Granbury, TX, Susan Letteney of Rockland ME, Rita Newell of Lewiston, ME, Irene Paulmann of Yarmouth, ME, Cheryl Higley and her husband Hugh of El Cerrito, CA, Frank Newell Jr. of Farmingdale, ME and George Newell of Augusta, ME; grandchildren Richard Hurd Jr. (recently deceased), Sheila Wickett of FL, Jonathan Morang and wife Amy and their children Sophia and Tyler of NH, Beth Hilton of ME, Stephen McKeen and wife Amanda and their children Kaydence and Adeline of TX, Alicia Letteney and son Jonah, James Letteney and son Dylan, Karen Letteney, and Justin Letteney and Kristen Wagner and their children Orrin and Juniper all of ME; Jeremy Paulmann and daughter Zoie of MA, Sarai Briggs and husband Andrew and sons Porter, Hudson & Warren of ME, Greg Paulmann of NY, Mia Paulmann of ME and Lauren, Ryan and Sean Higley of CA; stepchildren, George Newell and his wife Debbie of FL, Gary Newell and his wife Valerie, Judy Veroneau and husband Mitch, both of NH and stepson John's widow Barbara of MA and their children and grandchildren; she is also survived by sisters Phyllis Currier of Sangerville, ME, Marion Jewett of Augusta, ME, and numerous nieces and nephews. Due to covid and other circumstances, there will be no visiting hours. A memorial service and celebration of her life at the Winter St Baptist Church in Gardiner, ME and the committal service at the Veterans Cemetery in Augusta, will both be held at a later date when all of her children are able to be here. She will be buried beside her husband Frank A. Newell Sr. in the Veterans Cemetery in Augusta, ME. Her family would like to thank all of the staff at Woodlands Senior Living Center in Hallowell, ME and most recently the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation and Constellations Hospice for the wonderful care that Mom received during her stays over the last few years. Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com