Esther Safford

On a snowy night, Esther was born at home in Lewiston, Maine on March 22, 1930, weighing under 2 pounds. That first night was just the beginning of an inspiring 86 years of life. The daughter of Esther (Donavan) and Kenneth R. Dorr, she lived a very full life growing up in Cumberland Maine, the oldest of 11 children. She graduated from Greely High School in 1950 and went on to study interior design at Portland School of Fine and Applied Art, where she met Page W. Safford of Portland, Maine. After graduating in 1954, the two married on a winter’s day, January 1, 1955.

During their first 2 years of marriage, Esther and Page lived in Puerto Rico, where Page served in the army during the Korean War. After his service ended, they moved to Bangor, Maine where Page completed his bachelors in teaching. In 1969, Esther and Page settled in Auburn, Maine and raised their 4 children. Esther ran an orderly home and was an expert at balancing the family budget. She could make the most out of everything.

In her spare time, she enjoyed painting, writing, and was an avid reader with an impressive collection of books. She was a tutor for Literacy Volunteer of Androscoggin, helping factory workers learn to read. Passionate about politics, Esther was on the Auburn Town Planning Board and a member of the Auburn Democratic Party. She was honored to receive a personal phone call from President Jimmy Carter, thanking her for her part in organizing a fundraiser.

In retirement, Esther and Page returned to Cumberland, Maine to live next door to her mother and father, where she was raised. Within a few years, Page sadly passed away from cancer in 1999. She then moved to an apartment in Cumberland, where she met many friends and acquaintances. Never having learned to drive a car, Esther relied heavily on her family, friends, and ITN (Independent Transportation Network) for transportation. She was honored to be featured in an article promoting the ITN program.

The last six years of her life she lived at Bay Square in Yarmouth where she made many friends and inspired the staff. She was loved by all for her wit and humor.

More than 50 years after graduating from the Portland School of Fine and Applied Art and much to her surprise, several of her illustrations were used in a children’s book about birds, entitled From Nana’s Window.

Esther passed away peacefully on June 11, 2016. She is survived by 9 of her siblings, and her children: Kenneth L. Safford and his wife Nikki of Sycamore, Illinois, Melissa S. Gousse and her husband William of Yarmouth, Rebecca L. Starr and her husband Craig of Leeds, Jonathan P. Safford and his wife Amy of Saco, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Her family is forever grateful to the entire staff of Bay Square at Yarmouth for providing Esther with care and compassion the final 6 years of her life, filled with laughter and companionship. A special thank you to the Mid-Coast Hospice team and the staff at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for making Esther’s final days peaceful.

A celebration of her life will be held at the West Cumberland Methodist Church on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 2:00PM followed by a reception. Donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Food Bank in her memory.

Arrangements under the direction of Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth, ME.