Washburn- Elaine Emma Chamberlin, 85, passed away Thursday, March 09, 2023 at the Borderview Rehabilitation & Living Center in Van Buren. She was born October 14, 1937, in Perham Maine, the daughter of Carle (Herb) and Clair (Fitzgerald) Bondeson.
In October of 1937 a normal day turned joyful, for the Bondeson family, as Carle (Herb) and Claire Bondeson welcomed a lovely new daughter into their world. Elaine Emma would begin her life’s journey as one of 7 children enjoying life together in Perham, ME. Two of her siblings are still living, Ramona Poole of Clinton, ME, and Carlene Heinlein and her husband Bob of Virginia Beach, VA, and a brother-in-law, Everett Chamberlin. She is predeceased by her sister, Alice, and her three brothers Reynold, Vernon, and Clarence. We all enjoyed the years when we had many visits from each of her siblings and their families.
Elaine grew up attending the Perham and Washburn, ME schools, graduating from High School in Washburn with the class of 1955. She would marry Clifton Chamberlin not long after that and together they started their family. Clifton was a Korean war veteran and hard-working man, while Elaine focused her work on raising their 4 children and giving seasonal help to local farmers. She loved cooking for her family and often for local friends. She had a reputation for her raised donuts and home-cooked bread along with many other great recipes. Though keeping four growing children fed had to be a challenge, she managed to do it well. We certainly never went hungry and were rarely disappointed. Elaine also loved to grow flowers outside in the yard and had some lovely varieties that spruced up the property during the short summer months.
Elaine also provided compassionate and kind care to her father-in- law, Lee Chamberlin, in the home we all shared. She also provided care for her sister’s (Alice) children when that need arose due to her unexpected death. Elaine felt that wound deeply and gave herself faithfully to care for her nephews, which was very helpful to Uncle Wendall.
Both Elaine and Clifton served in many ways in the churches they attended with their children. Beginning with the Crouseville Advent Christian Church, working as youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, summer VBS programs, the Women’s Home and Foreign Mission Society, attending Summer Camp meetings, and in their later years, enjoying the Senior Citizens group of the State Road Advent Christian Church. They also attended the Dunntown Advent Christian Church when their children were in their late teens. Elaine also enjoyed several years in the fellowship of Christian believers at the Ashland Advent Christian Church, after Clifton passed away in 2002.
We, as family, feel truly blessed that both of our parents loved the Lord Jesus and encouraged each of us to know the Lord and enjoy His Church. They led us by example and wanted us to have the positive influence of other believers around us, to inspire and strengthen our own faith. The hope we share, because of salvation through the Lord Jesus, gives us great comfort and assurance mom will be fully healed when we join her in God’s eternal kingdom.
Elaine had many special friends who made her life full and fun. Deedee Stoddard, Virginia Hews, and Jean Holts are examples, each well connected by phone, letters, and enjoyable visits. And there are many others who could also be included in mom’s circle of good friends.
Elaine is survived by 3 of her 4 children: Katrina Fogell and her husband, (Rev.) John, of Alton Bay, NH; Andrew Chamberlin (20-year military veteran of the Navy and Air Force), and his wife, Bonnie, of Marietta, GA; Alan Chamberlin (Rev.) and his wife, Esther, of Friendship, ME; and a son-in-law, Phillip DuBois of Buckeye Arizona. Her youngest daughter, Tammy, was tragically killed in a car accident on a family vacation in North Carolina. Both her husband, Phillip, and their newly adopted son, Jamie, survived though seriously injured. Phillip would remarry and then adopted two more boys, whom mom considered her grandchildren as well. Her family also extends to 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Her room at the Boarderview Rehab facility had many pictures of each of them. They all gave her joy and made her smile as her life grew difficult.
We want to thank all the staff and care givers of the Boarderview Rehabilitation and Living Center, who watched over Elaine for her last several years. She did not want to leave the County, which was her world her entire life, so it was good to know she was being well-cared for as her health worsened and her appointed time to die arrived.
Services will be held 1 PM Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Crouseville Cemetery. Rev. Gregory Moody will be the officiant for the service. Arrangements are in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.duncan-graves.com
