Esther Marie Mank, 78, of Warren, passed away peacefully at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport on Jan. 7 with her loving family by her side. She was born on Jan. 18, 1935 in Cushing, the daughter of the late Ellis Lemuel Miller Sr. and Vivian Bessie Larabee.
Growing up in Cushing she attended local schools and was a graduate of Rockland High School. Marrying the love of her life, Floyd Mank, on Jan. 20, 1951 the couple would have 60 wonderful years together. They settled in Bremen and began their family on the Mank family farm.
Esther worked at the laundry mat in Waldoboro for a number of years and eventually took a job at GTE Sylvania in Waldoboro where she worked alongside many of her family members. This was a position she held for 30 years before she retired due to medical conditions.
She raised her three grandchildren without hesitation, something that they are forever grateful for. An animal lover she had five dogs throughout the years and while living on the farm, helped with the cattle and the other various animals around the property. Her house today is adorned with all kinds of different dog statues of various breeds.
An avid fan of Days of Our Lives, she watched it every day and there were not many things that got in her way of seeing her favorite program.
She traveled a lot with family, taking camping trips, adventures to Canada, and as many fairs that she could handle throughout the state. She could spend all day at the fair watching the horse pulls, playing the quarter machines, and Beano.
She loved good food and always enjoyed trips to Moody’s. A cook herself, her homemade baked beans were her specialty; Floyd would make the biscuits and she would make the beans.
She was a bold woman and when she had something to say, she was not afraid to say it, she would tell it like it was whether you liked it or not. Her family was very important to her and she loved having the family over, she always said the more the merrier.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Floyd Mank; and sisters, Gloria and Catherine.
Survivors include daughter, Sharon Chapman of Pemaquid; grandchildren, Lynn Kittredge and husband Roy of Pemaquid, Laurie Lamarre and husband Mike of Friendship, and Stephen Mclean and wife Jennifer of Winslow; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Samantha, Noah, Daniel, Hannah, Elizabeth, Gabriel, Lilly, Amber, Nicholas, Allen, Rebecca, and Makayla; brother, Lemmy Miller; and sister, Snookie Sandborn.
A celebration of life will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 18 at 8 Shipyard Rd., Friendship (located behind the Friendship Town Office). There will also be a celebration of her beloved husband, Floyd Mank, who passed in April of 2011. Please feel free to come and share with the family.
Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, PO Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
