- Date Of Birth: January 2, 1929
- Date Of Death: February 3, 2014
- State: Maine
Rachel V. Brownlee
January 2, 1929
February 3, 2014
Rachel V. Brownlee, 85, of Portland, died peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2014, at Maine Medical Center, with her family by her side.
Rachel was born in Westbrook on January 2, 1929, the daughter of Edesse (Thuotte) and Arthur Lewis. She spent most of her life in Westbrook. In July of 1945, she married Paul Brownlee in Corpus Christi Texas where he was stationed at the naval air base. Rachel returned home, and Paul joined her after the war ended. They raised their two daughters, Sharon and Terry, and celebrated 36 years of marriage before Paul’s death in 1981.
Rachel began her working years at the Dana Warp woolen mill in Westbrook. She later worked for the A&P bakery in Portland and the SD Warren Company in Westbrook. In 1986, she retired from the Addressograph Multigraph Corporation in South Portland. Her desire to remain active led her to join the Foster Grandparent Program in 2000 at the Lyseth School in Portland. She retired from the program in 2011 after touching the lives of many children as surely as they touched hers. Working with children kept her young and active.
After retiring in 1986 she went to live with her daughter Sharon and her family in Virginia. In 1990 she moved with Sharon and her family to Frankfurt, Germany where her son-in-law Jeff was assigned to a post at the American Consulate. After developing health problems she returned to Maine to live with her daughter Terry and her family in Yarmouth, Maine. In 1997 she moved to Northfield Green in Portland where she resided until her death on Monday.
Rachel enjoyed life. She loved to travel, a love instilled in her by her “Papa.” As a young woman, she drove across country alone to meet her husband after he was discharged from the Navy in Seattle, Washington. While living in Germany, she traveled to many countries. She also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Bermuda and Las Vegas. She was an avid reader and great cook. She enjoyed playing BEANO and the slot machines. Most of all, Rachel loved and was very devoted to her family.
Rachel was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Jean Constantino. She is survived by her two daughters, Sharon Trecartin (Jeffrey) of Cranston, RI and Terry Gelberg (Mike) of South Portland; sisters Theresa Chamard (Robert) of Westbrook and Eleanor Hamilton (Harlan) of Monterey, CA; five grandchildren, Susan Allard (Ted Millington) of Windham, Kristiane Hertlein (Paul) of Scarborough, Jennifer Wiseman (Philip) of Spring, Texas, Darren Trecartin of Cranston, RI and Kerri Pawlina (Jason) of Auburn; nine great-grandchildren Matthew, Brandon, Michelle, Melissa, Porter, Cassandra, Mason, James, Lucas; and her close friend and BEANO buddy, Dot Gerry.
The family would like to extend a deep felt thank you to the staff at the Southern Maine Dialysis Facility for their excellent and compassionate care over the past 7 ½ years.
