Gloria Laura Westhaver, 78, of Damariscotta St, formerly of New Harbor, passed away Jan. 30 at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, following a period of declining health.
Mrs. Westhaver was born Aug. 3, 1928, in New Harbor, the daughter of Willis and Caroline Blaisdell Gilbert. She attended New Harbor schools.
As a youth, she enjoyed tending her father’s store, Gilberts Fish Market.
A homemaker and a homebody, her happiest times were spent in the company of her family and friends. She loved telling stories and sharing memories, working in her vegetable garden, and canning and making pickles. She felt great joy in lining the cellar walls with jar after jar of canned vegetables, pickles, relishes, fruits, jams and jellies. She loved rewarding her family with the fruits of her labor through the coming winter.
Mrs. Westhaver was happy to have her kids come home from school to the smell of freshly baked bread and pies. She also enjoyed playing the guitar and ukulele with friends and family; feeding the birds, especially the chickadees that came to her window and eagerly anticipated the arrival of the first robin of spring.
She is predeceased by her son, Paul F. Westhaver; sisters, Doris Wotton, Marie Crook, Helen Kelsey and Pearl Farrin; and brothers, Arthur, Buddy and Clinton Gilbert.
Survivors include daughters, Debra Fortier of Bristol, and Teresa Reiling of Kapolei, Hawaii; sons, Albert Westhaver of Bristol, and Brian Westhaver of Nobleboro; sister, Jean Alley of South Bristol; brother, Chester Gilbert of New Harbor; grandchildren, Jeannie Termine of Walpole, Shayne McFarland of Walpole, Joshua Pearson of Greenwood, Ind., Katrina Bent of Damariscotta, Kate Westhaver of Nobleboro, Damon Westhaver of Nobleboro, Jeremy Westhaver of Bristol, and Jesse Westhaver of Bristol; nine great-grandchildren, Travis Sapp of Walpole, Courtney Taylor of Walpole, Kasie Taylor of Walpole, Jaykob Hernandez of Damariscotta, Kyle McFarland of Walpole, Tyler McFarland of Walpole, Brihanna Pearson of Greenwood, Ind., Joshua Pearson, Jr. of Greenwood, Ind., and Brock Pearson of Greenwood, Ind.; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service 11 a.m., Sat., Feb. 3 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro with Rev. Ernie Farrar officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gloria’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Assoc. Inc., Maine Chapter, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160B, Portland, ME 04101-2406.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
