Ellen M. Greer

Brunswick-Ellen M. Greer, 103, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2012, at Dionne Commons, Brunswick, Maine. She was born on June 1, 1909, in New Sharon Maine, the daughter of Alan Drew Watson and Harriet Augusta York and granddaughter of Sam York, news reporter for the Farmington Chronicle and other publications. Ellen grew up in New Sharon and graduated from high school in 1927.

During war days, Ellen worked at Maine Skewer & Dowel Company, Farmington, Maine. Ellen also worked doing housekeeping at Franklin Hospital and in private homes. While her peers cashed in saving bonds for luxury things, she cashed hers in for an education.

In 1950, she received her certification for Orthoptist. She had her own office in Houston, Texas, before returning back to Maine to work for Dr. Jou Ichao in Lewiston. While in Lewiston, she was a founding member of the Lewiston-Auburn Maine Altrusa Club.

In 1974, she moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and was Director and Therapist at the Lions Orthoptic Clinic until retirement in 1979. She was an active volunteer in the Springfield Science Museum and the South Congregational Church.

Ellen moved to Good Samaritan Retirement Village, Kissimmee, Florida, in 1987 where she was active as a volunteer in the library, editor of the Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society newsletter, and village historian.

In 1999, Ellen moved to Bowdoinham, Maine, to live with Buzz Daggett Wildes and her new husband Gil. At age 97, she received the Gold-Headed Boston Post Cane as oldest resident of Bowdoinham. Ellen joined the Maine Mycological Association and until the last year, wrote reviews of mushroom books for the quarterly newsletter. Having a computer with Internet in her room enabled her to research and write articles, as well as her genealogy. Since age 90, she wrote two stories published in Dan River Anthology and two stories for Echoes, the Aroostook County magazine. Ellen wrote and sold chapbook Chickadees in Windy Woods. Ellen was awarded the State of Maine Life Achievement Award. The award was presented at the Blaine House in Augusta.

Ellen is predeceased by her parents, sister Ruth Wade and brother-in-law F. Lewis Wade, niece Ada Daggett Richardson, and nephews Ray and Richard Daggett. Survivors include great nephews Randall Richardson and Richard Daggett II and great nieces Arlene Richardson Cunningham, Karen Richardson, and Shelly Daggett Lawrence as well as many life-long friend and acquaintances.

Graveside services will be held at the Fairview Cemetery, Farmington, Maine, at 2 p.m. on June 29, 2013.

Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home 130 Pleasant St. Richmond, Me 04357