WATERVILLE – Elaine W. Burton passed away very peacefully on Jan. 8, 2023, at Northern Light Continuing Care in Waterville at the age of 90 with family by her side. Elaine was born on Feb. 20, 1932, in Waterville to Everett Watson and Alys (Luce) Watson. She graduated from Williams High in Oakland in 1950. During her high school years she was active in the orchestra and choral groups, and learned to play the piano. Some years later she gave piano lessons, in her home, to many local students. Following high school graduation she completed one year of nurses training in Portland, returning home in 1951 to marry Richard N. Burton and began raising their family.

Elaine was involved in leadership of 4-H in Sidney, she was a member of Eastern Star and on the advisory board for the International Order of Rainbow Girls. She tended large vegetable gardens, and as a result, produced jellies, jams, applesauce and many other goodies for family and friends. She also raised beautiful flower beds every summer with the Oakland Baptist Church and Alden’s Camps being the recipients of her stunning dahlia and gladiola arrangements for many years.

While her children were in school, Elaine completed three years of college and then became a substitute teacher for SAD #47 (RSU 18) which eventually led to her role as a Title I tutor at the James H. Bean School in Sidney for many years. During these years she continued to pursue her passion of music while singing in the choir at the Oakland Baptist Church and with the Colby Community Chorale under the direction of Paul Machlin. In 1996 she retired and went on the trip of a lifetime to Australia and New Zealand with her sister Gail and brother-in-law Lester Smith, surviving a flood while there. She spent many summers traveling to Lexington Township in her camper where she enjoyed spending time around the campfire with her family and friends. She also made numerous trips to Florida with her daughter Melissa Finnimore and her family where she developed a love for all things Snow White.

In 1999, she was accompanied by her grandchildren Jacob, Jessica, Jonathan and other family members to ring in the new millennium at Disney World.

Elaine was an avid reader and belonged to a women’s book club for many years. An additional hobby was creating baby afghans. She started making these with the arrival of her first grandchild, Jonathan Finnimore over 50 years ago. Around three hundred babies have been wrapped in “Nana’s” love over the years as they were blessed by her baby afghans. She was also very passionate about feeding and caring for a wide assortment of birds who kept her entertained while they visited her many feeders. As a result of some of her travels, she became an avid collector of bells.

In 2017, Elaine became a member of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Waterville. In September 2018 she was baptized in Snow Pond with her son Mark and daughter-in-law Nancy Burton. She attended many Bible studies with the Amazing Gray’s during the past five years. Her faith and love of the Lord was strong. Her favorite verse was Psalm 121:1-2 and favorite quote “The heart of the matter is the heart.”

Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her husband Richard, her son Matthew and daughter Maureen. Elaine is survived by her daughter Melissa Finnimore and husband Karl; son Mark Burton and wife Nancy; four grandchildren, Jonathan Finnimore, Jason Finnimore, Jacob Burton and Jessica Marden and six great-grandchildren, Ethan, Andrew, Elijah, Adam, Fynn and Everett. She is also survived by her sister Gail Smith and husband Lester as well as many nieces, nephews and many friends from past and present.

There will be a private graveside service for the family at a later date this spring.

Our family would like to extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to Maine General Hospice, and especially to Lynda, Debbie, Michelle, Jamie, Teresa, Harry and The Tourmaline’s singing group, as well as, Beacon Hospice and especially to Brie, Lynn, Eric and Susan. Next, we would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the nurses, CNAs and support staff of the Skilled Nursing Unit at Lakewood where she was lovingly cared for during her final months. All of your extra special touches of kindness and spiritual compassion meant so much to her and the family during this time. We would also like to thank her Pastors, sisters and brothers in Christ at Faith Church and many friends for their constant prayers, love and encouragement.

Arrangements are under the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

Donations in Elaine’s name may be made to Maine General Hospice at 35 Medical Center Parkway, Augusta, Maine 04330-8067 or to National Kidney Foundation at 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016

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