KEZAR FALLS- Marjorie Ela Stanley, 90, of Kezar Falls, passed peacefully on April 15, 2025, with her loving family by her side.
Marjorie was born on July 28, 1934, to Walter and Betty (Bickford) Ela. She grew up in the family home at Blazo Corner. Her family legacy was something she was proud of, and she loved telling stories about her ancestors, some of the first settlers of Parsonsfield.
Marjorie attended Blazo School, a one room schoolhouse for kindergarten through seventh grade with her mother as her teacher. Although a small rural school, she received a quality education that prepared her for her high school years at Fryeburg Academy. After graduating from Fryeburg, Marjorie attended the nursing program at Maine Medical Hospital for a year. She loved being a nurse, but she loved her soon to be husband Roger Stanley more! In 1952, a young woman couldn’t do both, and Marjorie married Roger on 18 Sept 1954.
Marjorie followed Roger to Chelmsford, Massachusetts while Roger served in the US Air Force. There, she welcomed her first child. Marjorie returned to Parsonsfield in the summer of 1956 to nurse her mother through the last stages of cancer. When Roger’s enlistment was up, they returned to Kezar Falls, and he and Marjorie settled on Summer Street. Together, they bought and ran Norton Hardware. Marjorie was Roger’s equal and valued collaborator. They worked hard to build the business up and make it a success. Marjorie worked for a short time at Vulcan Electric soon after its inception, but with a growing family, she and Roger decided it would be better if she could stay home with their children.
Marjorie looked for ways to stay engaged and active in her community. She joined 21 Club in 1957. She served as president, and was an active member into her 90th year. She recalled with fondness hours of sitting on the beach at Spectacle Pond while the swim program was held, working rummage sales, and hosting Club members at the summer place in Harpswell. Marjorie served as Select Woman of Porter. She also served as a Girl Scout Leader in Kezar Falls. She truly believed in giving back to the community. If any need came up, she could be counted on to pitch in.
Marjorie instilled a love of nature in her children. She knew the names of all the birds and wildflowers. When they were young, Marjorie and Roger took the family for walks on back roads and later up mountains. In her 40’s, Marjorie and Roger took up hiking. They loved hiking great mountains. Marjorie hiked all of the 4,000 foot mountains in New Hampshire and Katadin! Her favorite hike was when she and Roger and son Jim hiked the Bigelow range.
If not in the mountains, Marjorie loved being in Harpswell. She loved making the home a cozy and welcoming place to be. When Roger retired, they moved to Harpswell.. After Roger’s death in 2006, she continued to live there full time, then in the summer, until returning to live with her daughter Judy. Back in Kezar Falls, she reconnected with friends. One of her delights was going out to eat with her “lunch bunch” ladies. She looked forward to seeing them every week.
Marjorie was an avid reader. There was never a book far from her elbow. She did crossword puzzles daily, and always had a jigsaw puzzle in the works. She was sharp as a tack, and kept her family on their toes! Marjorie was an excellent cook. Her ginger snaps, whoopie pies, meatballs, cheesecake, and her ability to whip up a meal for 20 at the drop of a hat is legend.
Marjorie was the keeper of family history, both hers and Roger’s. She loved telling stories about ancestors and places. She left her family a true legacy of family history.
Marjorie was a great believer in the value of charity. She made annual donations to numerous organizations, and supported local causes. She “adopted” a room at ParSem and dedicated it to her parents, who graduated from the school and worked there in later years.
Marjorie’s sound and wise advice was valued by all, but most especially by her family. Her unflagging support of them all brought them through many hard times. She was a woman of faith, and believed in her loving God.
Marjorie is predeceased by her loving husband Roger, her parents, her dear sister Patricia Ela Campbell, and her beloved grandson Andrew James Stanley. She is survived by her children: Jean , James and wife Nancy, Judy and partner Joseph Pinard, and Jennifer and husband Jeannot. She is survived by grandchildren Carolyn Gaudet and partner Greg, Kristen Stanley and partner Bo, Shane Remillard, Allison Stanley Hooper and husband Dale, and Justin Boucher. She is survived by her dear great grandchildren Riley Gaudet, Zoe Gaudet, Jenna Jordan, Sophie Jordan, Leo O’Brien, and Cal Stanley. Marjorie will be deeply missed, and her memory forever treasured.
The family would like to thank Northern Light Hospice for their support and care, thanks especially to Haley and Jennifer. We also thank her daughter Judy for taking the best care of mom.
Visiting hours will be held at Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple Street, Cornish, Maine on April 28 from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock PM. A funeral service will be held April 29 at 10 o’clock AM at the funeral home, with interment in the Kezar Falls Burial Grounds to follow. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marjorie’s memory can be made to The Kezar Falls Circulating Library, PO Box 11, Parsonsfield, Maine 04047 or 21 Club,19 Derby Barn Road Hiram, Maine 04041.