Esther M. Miller

WELLS — Esther M. Miller, 100, a longtime resident of Wells died Sunday March 27, 2011 at Norway Rehabilitation and Living Center in Norway, Maine with her family by her side. She was born at her home on Wells Beach in Wells, Maine on February 1, 1911 and was the fourth child of Herbert and Ada (Hubbard) Littlefield.

Mrs. Miller graduated Wells High School as valedictorian in June 1929 and graduated from Chandler Secretarial School (a women’s college) in Boston in 1931. She worked as a bank manager for Canal Bank in their Kennebunk office. Her husband, Earle was a lobsterman and she enjoyed knitting and waiting at the pier for him to return from the sea when she wasn't working.

She attributed daily crossword puzzles, monthly Vitamin B12 shots, and little chocolate bars as her secret to longevity. Her family remembers her love for them, as well as her being an avid Red Sox fan. She enjoyed traveling especially to see family in England, New York, and Kansas. She believed that distance shouldn’t keep people apart. Earlier in her day, she enjoyed dancing every weekend, theatre at Ogunquit Playhouse, and trips to New York City. Her home on Buffam’s Hill in Wells was beside a waterfall and is now a memorial park.

She is survived by her sons, Gordon and his wife Beverley Bryant of Cape Elizabeth, and Richard Bryant and his wife Elizabeth Furtwengler of Olathe, Kansas; and her stepson, Wayne and his wife Judy Bryant of Buffalo, New York; her grandchildren, Mark Bryant and his wife Hilary Lay of Bath, England, Tim and his wife Teri Bryant of Shoreham, New York, Kim Bedard of Kittery, Tina and her husband Robert Cochran of Adrian, Missouri, Carrie and her husband Henry Raymond of South Paris, and Tammy and her husband Richard McMillin of Olathe, Kansas. She leaves 11 great grandchildren whom she cherished, the youngest Casey Mae Raymond, age six. She is predeceased by her first husband Wilbur Bryant; second husband, Earle Miller in 1985; her parents; and her siblings Grace Elkins, Gertrude Jones, Robert Littlefield, and June Goodwin.

A funeral was held at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, Maine on Wednesday, March 30th. Internment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Wells on June 15 at 1pm.