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Gone
but never forgotten * Volume
3, Issue
1, February 2009
| Vesta A.
Putnam |
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HALLOWELL -- Vesta Alden Putnam, beloved wife,
mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, enthusiastic gardener and
accomplished artist, passed away Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Hallowell. Vesta
was surrounded by family and friends when she died peacefully at home. She
was 97. Vesta was predeceased by her husband, George, in 2008.
The daughter of Blanche Smith Alden and Frank Wentworth Alden, Vesta was
born on March 3, 1911, in Waterville. She graduated from Colby College in
1933. At Colby College, Vesta was editor of the Colby Echo and a member of
Alpha chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority. Vesta met the love of her life,
George Charles Putnam, while they were both students at Colby College. They
were married at Vesta's home on Oct. 9, 1937, in Westfield, N.J., and raised
five children. Vesta and her husband operated the Alden family summer
resort, Alden Camps in Oakland, for almost 40 years. Vesta was the owner,
voice and charming hostess of camp, adored by guests and staff alike. She
was infamous for smiling sweetly as she skunked her opponents in cribbage
tournaments.
Vesta was honored with an award by the Maine Tourism Association for
Excellence in Accommodations in 1998. She was also active in the Belgrade
Lakes Region Information Bureau. A lifelong lover of gardening, Vesta
especially enjoyed participating in the Central Maine Garden Club for more
than 40 years. Vesta won many blue ribbons in horticulture and design and
created special arrangements for the "Art in Bloom" events at the Colby
College Museum of Art.
Passionate about the visual and creative arts, Vesta delighted in painting,
collecting antiques, refinishing and stenciling furniture and attending art
exhibits. She was a member of the Historical Society of Early American
Decoration and the Waterville Historical Society.
Vesta and her husband George were travel companions and sweethearts for more
than 70 years. They were always up for a competitive game of cribbage, an
adventure across the globe or splitting a delicious dessert. Vesta and
George spent more than 35 winters in Hawaii visiting family, walking the
beach, and enjoying life together.
Vesta is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and her husband, Jon Hinebauch,
of Colorado; daughter Priscilla and her husband, L. Steven Minkel, of
Virginia; daughter Dr. Deborah Putnam and her husband, Robert Laguens, of
Hawaii; daughter Carol Putnam and her husband, Peter Akraboff, of
California; son Dr. James Putnam and his wife, Michele, of Maine; and
special friend and caregiver, Judy Nichols. Adored by her 12 grandchildren
and 10 great-grandchildren, Vesta was known for her witty humor, sense of
fun and spunk.
Vesta loved her family, the state of Maine, a garden bursting with peonies
and a good laugh.
A celebration of life will take place in Colby College's Lorimer Chapel at a
future date. Memorial donations in honor of Vesta Putnam may be made to the
Colby College Museum of Art c/o Colby College, 4345 Mayflower Hill,
Waterville, ME 04901 and to the Waterville Historical Society, 62 Silver
St., Waterville, ME 04901.
Arrangements are under the direction of Redington Funeral Home, 5 Park St.,
Waterville, ME; (207) 873-3611.
Remembrances and notes of sympathy may be made at www.mem.com. |
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