Mary Ellen Macomber, 86, of Damariscotta, passed away on the evening of April 1, 2019 at the LincolnHealth – Miles Campus in Damariscotta. Born in Presque Isle on Oct. 5, 1932, she was the daughter of the late James and Wilda Roche, and the loving wife of Victor Macomber of Damariscotta.
Mary Ellen grew up in Aroostook County with traditional potato-picking roots. She graduated high school in Presque Isle, and attended nursing training at Mercy Hospital in Portland, before meeting and eventually marrying Air Force pilot Vic Macomber. The couple spent the next 61 years together, living a rich, loving, family and friend-filled life in Presque Isle, New Mexico, Arizona, Tripoli (Libya), and Keene, N.H., eventually settling in Damariscotta. A devoted bridge player, she had a way of making friends everywhere she went, most of whom she found a way to stay in touch with her entire life. “She just had a special way of doing friendship.”
She is survived by her devoted husband, Victor Macomber; sister, Nan Wade of Suwanee, Ga.; admiring children, Kelly Anchors (Scott) of Scarborough, and Michael Macomber (Colleen) of Beverly, Mass.; as well as her grandchildren, Matthew, Patrick, Conor, and Mikaela Macomber. She also leaves four nieces and nephews, James and Laura Wade and Daniel and Lindsey Holloway.
A celebration of Mary Ellen’s life will start with a service at 2 p.m., on Friday, April 12 at Schooner Cove in Damariscotta, and will continue with a reception, also at Schooner Cove, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in memory of Mary Ellen Macomber, to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284; or via dana-farber.org/gift.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Condolences and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting StrongHancock.com.
