CUSHING — Estelle C. Ames, 98, of Cushing, died Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Windward Gardens.

Estelle was born December 12, 1926, in Thomaston, Maine, the daughter of Elmer and Rachel (Libby) Overlock. She graduated from Thomaston High School in 1945. As a teenager she assisted the Red Cross rolling bandages for World War II soldiers. She was a former member of the South Warren Grange.

Estelle was a homemaker and known near and far for her home cooking, especially for her doughnuts and cookies. She sewed all her children’s school clothes and wedding apparel. She was also known for her embroidery, quilts, and braided rugs. She maintained a vegetable garden large enough to provide vegetables for the family for the entire year. Family was the most important part of her life. She hosted countless family Sunday dinners, holidays, and birthday parties.

Estelle loved to dance. One of her fondest memories was when her future husband Robert asked to take her home from a dance they were both attending. Robert’s son, Alan, was their chauffeur. Their first kiss sealed her future and she often reminisced about it every time she rode by Mirror Lake. Estelle and Robert were married three days short of 50 years when Robert passed away in 2005. They are now dancing together in heaven.

Estelle is predeceased by her husband, Robert W. Ames; her daughter Faye Granims; and son-in-law Johnny Granims.

She is also predeceased by her siblings, Leland Overlock, Marion Grover, Charlotte Stambaugh, and Neil Overlock.

She is survived by her children Neil Ames (Donna), Jacquelyn Hyde, Marie Sprague (John), Patricia Burns (Jonathan), and stepchildren, Alan and Louise; 16 grandchildren, Alan Ames, Barbara Phillips, Charlene Ames, Kevin Ames, Aaron Ames, Richard Staples, Shawn Hyde, Larry Hyde, Michael Granims, Brian Granims, Neil Granims, Christopher Sprague, April Sprague-Smith, Elisha Sprague, Rachel Vogelpohl, and Erica Burns; 26 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are welcome to join the family for a time of visitation on Friday, January 10, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed at Noon by a service to celebrate Estelle’s life at the Hall Funeral Home, 78 Main Street, Thomaston. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Cushing.

Arrangements are with the Hall Funeral Home, Thomaston.

Condolences may be shared with the family at hallfuneralhomes.com