BAR MILLS- Elisa Jean Bartlett, age 56, passed away on March 20, 2021 due to complications of diabetes.
She was born in Portland on June 5, 1964, a daughter of the late Ammie and Jeanne (Paiement) Woods and attended Portland Schools.
For many years, Elisa worked on the Portland waterfront at Tiny’s Seafood.
She enjoyed being with her German Shepherds – Carlos, Simba, and Lord Baron, being around horses, and going to camp with her best friend and cousin Buffy Libby on Aziscohos Lake in Maine.
Elisa is predeceased by siblings- Jimmy, Robert and Gary Woods.
She is survived by her husband Jon Bartlett of Bar Mills; stepdaughter- Carolyn Palmer of Limington; siblings- Skip Woods of Old Orchard Beach, Robin Woods of Portland, Andrew Woods of Standish and Dale Woods of Portland; step grandchildren- Deacon and Harley; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Elisa’s life will be held on Saturday June 5 at her cousin Buffy’s home in Hollis.
Elisa grew up on Newbury St. with five older brothers and one older sister and she had nine older male cousins just down the street. To say that she might have been a tomboy is not telling the truth. She learned quickly to hold her own and both her brothers and cousins knew not to mess with her because you would lose. There were many times when her brothers (all big guys) would run to their mother for protection from their baby sister. I remember when Elisa went to work at Big Tiny's Seafood that they were in trouble and they learned the hard way that you better be nice to her.
Elisa's maid of honor and niece Trisha Fernald remembers shucking shrimp with Elisa and would be outdone two pounds to her half pound and couldn't figure out have she could do them so fast. Trisha always liked to brag that she was Elisa's favorite niece. Trisha's favorite story is taking Elisa to Six Flags and getting her to go on a roller coaster ride with her. Trisha said that as soon as we got on the roller coaster Elisa closed her eyes and never opened them through the whole ride. At one point they had gone under a mister and when the roller coaster stopped Elisa got off and said that they vomited on her and got sick herself. Trisha couldn't stop laughing because even though she had told Elisa it was a mister she wouldn't believe her. Needless to say as the golf cart was hauling Elisa off to the first care it was the end of rides for the day.
When Elisa's mother had to give up having Thanksgiving at home Elisa was the first to demand having Thanksgiving at the Bartlett camp on the Saco River. Elisa would always find the biggest fresh turkey she could find and the day before she would start her cooking. We would always help by bringing side dishes but the amount of side dishes and turkey that would be placed on the serving table was always overwhelming. She would not sit to eat until she see that everybody had a plate in front of them. I know she got that from her mother. There were always many family in friends invited and eating at every table or corner we could find. She would watch and make sure everyone was well fed.
Elisa's best friend and cousin Buffy Libby were inseparable for years and Buffy was always available for Elisa as her illnesses caught up with her. Buffy always was available for doctor visits, hospital visits or just to go to lunch with. One of Elisa's favorite times was going to Aziscohos Lake in the western mountains of Maine along the New Hampshire border. To sit on the point on the lake and watch the most beautiful sunsets just made Elisa feel comfortable and at peace with the world. Elisa and Buffy had many heartfelt conversations sitting and watching the clouds in the sky and lake.
Elisa's loves were horses and her German Shepherds. Growing up she was always around Judy Anne stables in OOB and from there she worked at a few different stables helping to groom and train the horses. Now if you want to talk about her Shepard's Carlos, Simba and Lord Baron you are talking about her children. Elisa never went anywhere without her dog. When she was going out the door they knew that they were going with her. Elisa had a knack for training and they were the best behaved German Shepard's you could ask for.
Elisa's husband Jon was the man for her. They met and were immediately a couple. Jon gave Elisa the wedding of her dreams. They were married at Tory Hill Congregational Church on May 3, 2003. The smile on her face as they took a horse carriage ride from the church to Salmon Falls C.C. was a thing that she always remembered. Jon and Elisa did not have children but Jon had a daughter C.J. and two grandchildren that she loved dearly.
Elisa will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at Buffy & Todd Libby's house in Hollis on June 5th.
If anyone has a story they would like to add we would love to hear it
A celebration of Elisa’s life will be held on Saturday June 5 at her cousin Buffy’s home in Hollis.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com