Lena O. (Johnston) Creamer, 87, passed away peacefully on Feb. 10 at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta. She was the widow of Clarence (Ken) Creamer.
Born in 1922 in Washington, Lena was the daughter of Leland and Nina (Miller) Johnston. She graduated from Gorham Normal School in 1942 and started what was to be a 30-year career in teaching. Her initial teaching positions were in one-room schoolhouses, often with multiple grades in one room. She held positions in Bremen, Damariscotta Mills and Washington schools. Later she attained her BS from Gorham State Teachers College so that she could teach at the Friendship Street School in Waldoboro. Lena became a teaching principal and remained in that school until her retirement in 1975. She taught grades 1-3, sometimes having two grades in the room for the school year. During one year, her student census reached a high of 38 pupils. She also was one of two teachers in the area that attended a one-week training course at the University of Maine, Orono for the first Head Start program. Following the training she and another teacher began a seven-week summer Head Start program for Waldoboro. After retirement, Lena enjoyed being approached by her former students, many of whom were second generational. Amazingly, she had a memory of each student and could talk to them of specific events that took place during their year with her.
For many years, Lena was an active member of the Maine Educational Association, the National Education Association, the Maine State Retirees Association, the West Waldoboro Community Club, Helping Hands, Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. In addition she was a master at making dill pickles and canned her garden produce for the family to enjoy in the wintertime. She even painted the nearby hydrant with red paint when the Town refused to do it because it was a “federal program hydrant.” Lena knit many outfits for her grandchildren until her blindness prevented the activity. In her later years, she spent her time listening to the State Library Books on Tape, enjoying the company of her children and their families, talking with her many friends and neighbors on the telephone and “challenging” the prices on “The Price Is Right” TV program.
Lena is survived by her daughters, Margaret Ann (William) Hoxie of Cornish, and Shirley McLaren of Waldoboro; son, Kenneth Creamer of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Karen (John) Morrissey, Kristin Hoxie, Jil (Doug) Crochere, Eric (Kari) Creamer and Elizabeth McLaren; and nine great-grandchildren. The large family get-togethers were a source of great pleasure to her.
Graveside service is planned for the spring at the Pierpont Cemetery in Washington. The date will be announced at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
