Lucia Winifred Whittelsey

WATERVILLE – Lucia Winifred Whittelsey of Waterville died peacefully at her home after an 11-year contest with cancer. She was born on Dec. 1, 1951 in Bryn Mawr, Pa..

Lucia graduated from Westtown School in 1969 and attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She worked for 26 years at Colby, ultimately as the Director of Financial Aid.

Lucia was predeceased by her father, Theodore Whittelsey Jr. (most recently of Nashua, N.H.), her mother Alice Edgar Whittelsey of Fremont, N.H., her son Theodore Smyth of Waterville, and her sister Alice Tappen Whittelsey (Krieger.) She is survived by: her sister Holly Whittelsey Whiteside of Fremont, N.H.; three granddaughters, Cloe Grace Smyth, Ellie Rose Smyth, Sophie Elena Rae Smyth; grand-stepson, Evan Lavway; and their mother Kristina Mendez, all of Palermo. Lucia’s canine companion Koko is now happily living with two friends and a lively pack of dogs.

Lucia was deeply loved, so sorely missed by her many friends, extended family, and her collaborators in social justice. She was committed to making a difference in the world through action both physical and verbal. To those in her life and community she was respected for her backbone, tenacity, and great big heart, always ready with a piece of advice if not an out and out directive.

Lucia loved life first, then her grandchildren, beauty, her garden, and lobster. She was a fiercely devoted mother and grandmother.

A celebration of life will be held via Zoom at 2 p.m., on Sunday August 21.

Gifts in Lucia’s memory may be made to her financial aid fund at Colby College: http://www.darenorthward.Colby.edu. drop-down “Financial Aid” and type Whittelsey Family Grant Fund in the comments box. The fund was set up by Lucia to help level the financial playing field for incoming students. Also in memory of Lucia, please continually look for opportunities to do acts of kindness.