Willa Winchenbaugh Stevens, 87, of Nobleboro, passed away Nov. 10 at the home of her daughter, in Washington, where she has spent her last year.
She was born in Nobleboro, the daughter of the late Carroll and Louise Winchenbaugh on May 28, 1921. She grew up in Nobleboro and graduated from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.
After a year at Husson College ended with a sports injury to her back, she started her life-long career as a bookkeeper. Willa worked with figures as a treasurer of many organizations including WSCS in Rockport. Her children and grandchildren fondly remember being taught how to “make change” the old fashioned way, without a calculator.
In 1947 she married the late, Rupert Stevens, her loving husband of 49 years. They made their home, for the most part, in Rockport until 1973 when they moved back to Willa’s family homestead in Nobleboro.
Willa loved being busy. When her children were young she was a Girl Scout leader for her daughter and a Boy Scout den mother for her son. She always had a project to work on and was an avid knitter, teaching many the skill. She loved crossword puzzles, gardening and spending time outside. Willa was a real people person, had many, many friends and kept involved in church and community organizations until her health declined this last year and a half.
She was predeceased by her husband and only sister, Elaine French.
She was survived by her daughter, Marla Lanphier and husband Clayton of Washington; son, Marc Stevens and wife Patty of Nobleboro; grandchildren, Galen Lanphier and wife Monica of Ipswich, Mass., Justin Lanphier and wife Jennifer of Chelsea, Elisha Stevens Hopkins and husband Michael of Nobleboro, Kristen Stevens and her significant other Deric Verney of Newcastle, Aidan Lanphier of Ipswich, Mass., Logan Lanphier of Chelsea, and Gage Hopkins of Nobleboro; and dear nieces, Drucilla Sanford and husband Carl of Damariscotta, and Holly Brady and husband Tom of Crawfordsville, Ind.
Graveside service 1 p.m., Sat., Nov. 15 at the Dunbar Cemetery in Nobleboro with Pastor Bob Wyand officiating. Following the service, a reception will be held at the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Willa’s memory to the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro, 4 Backmeadow Rd., Nobleboro, ME 04555 or Kno-Wal-Lin, Hospice House Fund, c/o Northeast Health, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waldoboro.
