Elaine H Carpenter
Orono - After almost 97 years of a life well-lived, Elaine (Plumley) Carpenter passed away on December 10, 2022. She was born January 13, 1926, to William and Eva (Pierce) Plumley in Burlington, Vermont. During her formative years, she lived in a variety of Vermont communities. She graduated from St Johnsbury Academy in 1944 and the University of Vermont with a degree in Home Economics in 1948, followed by several years of teaching.
In 1953, she and Walter Carpenter were married in Bethel, Vermont and moved to Orono, Maine shortly thereafter. For the next 63 years, she was his partner in multiple “projects”. Together they ran the family engineering business, Walter Carpenter Associates for over 20 years. They also restored the historic Bickmore building in Old Town and converted it into 13 senior housing units. In retirement, they became Christmas tree farmers opening the Carpenter Tree Farm in Old Town where they lovingly planted, sheared and sold trees, well into their 80’s.
In addition to her involvement in a lifetime of projects, Elaine was the quintessential homemaker. She was a constant and warm presence for their two daughters, Nancy and Susan. In their early years, she sewed almost all their clothes and, later on, both their wedding dresses. Her nutritious, home cooked meals were a large part of the family life. Elaine and Walter always had a large vegetable garden from which she “put up” food for the winter.
Life was not all work and projects. She and Walter enjoyed many days at their camp on Pushaw Pond, riding their bicycles in the US and Europe, multiple generations of family camping at Mt Blue State Park, canoeing the rivers of Maine, sailing, hiking and skiing together.
Elaine is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Nancy and George Putnam of Jeffersonville, VT and Susan and Paul O’Brien of Hampden, ME. She especially enjoyed time with her five grandchildren: Kelly (O’Brien) Weaver, Corey O’Brien, Brian Putnam, Emily Putnam and Laura Putnam. During the past three years, Elaine’s great granddaughter, Hannah Weaver, has been a very special source of joy! Elaine was predeceased by Walter, her parents and her grandson, Corey.
Elaine’s family would like to extend special thanks to the many folks at Dirigo Pines who, over the past 7 years, made her life more comfortable. A family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Elaine’s life. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Stillwater Federated Church Community Gardens, PO Box 386, Stillwater, ME 04489.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elaine Carpenter, please visit our flower store.
Orono - After almost 97 years of a life well-lived, Elaine (Plumley) Carpenter passed away on December 10, 2022. She was born January 13, 1926, to William and Eva (Pierce) Plumley in Burlington, Vermont. During her formative years, she lived in a variety of Vermont communities. She graduated from St Johnsbury Academy in 1944 and the University of Vermont with a degree in Home Economics in 1948, followed by several years of teaching.
In 1953, she and Walter Carpenter were married in Bethel, Vermont and moved to Orono, Maine shortly thereafter. For the next 63 years, she was his partner in multiple “projects”. Together they ran the family engineering business, Walter Carpenter Associates for over 20 years. They also restored the historic Bickmore building in Old Town and converted it into 13 senior housing units. In retirement, they became Christmas tree farmers opening the Carpenter Tree Farm in Old Town where they lovingly planted, sheared and sold trees, well into their 80’s.
In addition to her involvement in a lifetime of projects, Elaine was the quintessential homemaker. She was a constant and warm presence for their two daughters, Nancy and Susan. In their early years, she sewed almost all their clothes and, later on, both their wedding dresses. Her nutritious, home cooked meals were a large part of the family life. Elaine and Walter always had a large vegetable garden from which she “put up” food for the winter.
Life was not all work and projects. She and Walter enjoyed many days at their camp on Pushaw Pond, riding their bicycles in the US and Europe, multiple generations of family camping at Mt Blue State Park, canoeing the rivers of Maine, sailing, hiking and skiing together.
Elaine is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Nancy and George Putnam of Jeffersonville, VT and Susan and Paul O’Brien of Hampden, ME. She especially enjoyed time with her five grandchildren: Kelly (O’Brien) Weaver, Corey O’Brien, Brian Putnam, Emily Putnam and Laura Putnam. During the past three years, Elaine’s great granddaughter, Hannah Weaver, has been a very special source of joy! Elaine was predeceased by Walter, her parents and her grandson, Corey.
Elaine’s family would like to extend special thanks to the many folks at Dirigo Pines who, over the past 7 years, made her life more comfortable. A family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Elaine’s life. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Stillwater Federated Church Community Gardens, PO Box 386, Stillwater, ME 04489.
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