CHEBEAGUE ISLAND- Virginia M. Pelton, 92, died at the Island Commons, her home on Chebeague Island. Born in Westbrook on June 1st, 1920, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Lottie (Clemons) Smith. She attended Westbrook schools and, as a teenager, worked first as a governess in Bartlett, NH, then at the S. D. Warren Mill to help support her family. After marriage and the births of her two sons, she and her family settled in Portland and, eventually, she returned to work at the mill for a total of 28 years of service.A loving mother with a lively spirit, she loved to cook and to collect antiques and interesting objects. Anyone who walked through her door was welcome, and sure to be fed and given a look at the many treasures displayed throughout her home. When her boys were young, she fed their friends, some of whom continued to keep in touch with her throughout her life, remembering the interest and concern she always showed them.
Her husband, Larry, worked for Portland Press Herald, and she was a member of the Ladies’ Press Club, also serving as President. To feed her artistic side, she took a course in interior design and applied what she learned in each room of her house. Her home was very important to her and, in retirement, she spent many hours working on it inside and out, providing a welcoming place for family and friends to visit.
As a widow, Virginia moved back to Westbrook for a time, living near her two sisters at Millbrook Estates. The last months of her life were spent at the Island Commons on Chebeague, near her son and daughter-in-law.
Pre-deceased by her husband of 58 years, Lawrence E. Pelton Jr., and a son, Lawrence E. Pelton III, she is survived by a son, Kenneth Pelton, and his wife, Susan, of Chebeague Island; two grandsons, Kenneth Pelton II and his wife, Sylvie, of Gray, and Erik Pelton of Wyman; two great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Brandon Pelton of Gray; two sisters, Octavia Trzenska and Jean Barry, both of Westbrook; a daughter-in-law, Judy Pelton; a niece, Sandra, and her husband Dale of Westbrook; great-nieces and -nephews and their children.
A service will be held on Saturday, January 12th at 1:30 pm at Blais and Hay Funeral Home in Westbrook
