Elaine Goss

Orrington - Elaine M. Goss, 88, passed away March 6, 2025, at Westgate Center after a long journey with dementia. She was born May 13, 1936, in Blaine, the daughter of Russell James and Ardis (Gellerson) Joslyn.

Mom co-owned Don's Campers, Inc. and Holden Family Campground and worked side by side with Dad for many years. She managed the office and was proud of her meticulous record keeping. Mom loved the family camp at Branch Lake in Ellsworth. It was truly her "happy place" and provided much comfort during her illness and time grieving her loss of Dad in 2021 after 65 years of marriage. We all have fond memories of her sitting on the boat, at camp fires and enjoying family and friends stopping by to say hello. Annual family Christmas parties were also very important to her. Mom always loved dancing with Dad and continued to dance during music activities at Westgate. She also thoroughly enjoyed going for rides with Dad in their 1962 red T-Bird convertible. It comforts us now to know that Mom and Dad are together dancing again and riding around with smiles on their faces. In earlier years, Mom was active in the Dedham Community Club, Dedham Congregational Church, Lucerne-Dedham Fire Dept, Auxiliary and Dedham School PTA. In recent years, she supported Dad with his many Shriners events and travels. Her favorite event was the Annual Festival of Trees, where she always helped handle the children with their Santa visit. She was also happily involved with the Orrington Historical Society, Antique Car Club, and doll collecting.

In addition to her parents and her four siblings, Mom was predeceased by her loving husband, Don, in 2021; her son, Kevin Goss; son-in-law, Bruce Lambert; granddaughter, Alicia Rae Bessey; and her great-granddaughter, Lany Weatherbie. She is survived by her son, Mark Goss and his companion, Cheryl, of Hudson; daughters, Shirlee Smith and her husband, Tim, of Corea, Kim Lambert of Holden, Kerri Bates and her husband, Larry, of Holden, and Dale Bessey and her husband, Ted, of East Newport; special daughter-in-law, Cindy Goss of Holden; grandchildren, Kate (Jon) Cooper, Kami Lambert-Weatherbie, Jamie (Miranda) Lambert, Ryan (Trish) Bates, Jonathan (Amy) Bates, Amanda (Brent) Randall, Heath (Celena) Goss, and Scotti (Molly) Goss; great-grandchildren, Lily, Miles, Preston, Kelsie, Kennedy, Brock, Knox, Spencer, Sully, Gabby, Piper, and Lydia; her husband's siblings and their families; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. All of us want to recognize the incredible staff in the Residential Care at Westgate Center. We are so grateful for their dedicated, respectful and loving care of Mom for the past 1 1/2 years.

If you wish to make a charitable donation in memory of Mom, consider the Orrington Historical Society, P.O. Box 94, Orrington, ME 04474, or the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401.

A memorial service to celebrate Mom's life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. All are invited to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, immediately following the service. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

Mom loved her family so much and was just as sweet as "buttah."