Esther 20070608 Obituary (1913 - 2007)

AUGUSTA, Maine - Esther A. (Lucas)Lemar, 93, of Augusta, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2007. She was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts on October 12, 1913, daughter of Mildred and Arthur Lucas. She moved to Hallowell, Maine at age one where she resided with her parents and nine siblings. She graduated from Hallowell High School in 1932, and then attended South Lancaster College in Massachusetts for two years to pursue her degree in education. She discovered that her desire was in pharmacy, and with Harold Tibbetts as her mentor, she aspired to become a pharmacist. In 1939, she obtained her degree from the Kenmore School of Pharmacy in Boston. In 1940, she was certified as a Qualified Assistant Pharmacist, and, in 1964, was ultimately declared a Registered Professional Pharmacist, being one of the few women in Maine to achieve this status during that time. She began her career working for Mr. Tibbetts at Tibbetts Pharmacy in Hallowell. This was followed by a long commitment to Partridges Pharmacy in Augusta, and for a number of years, simultaneous employment by the Augusta Mental Health Institute where she retired at the age of 83. Although she was an incredible seamstress, her lifelong passion was pharmacy, which left little time for hobbies or alternative interests. She was a very hard worker, and you could still see her mowing her lawn and sealing her driveway at age 90. What she enjoyed most was seeing peace and happiness in her family and all those who touched her life. She was a devout Seventh Day Adventist her entire life and a pillar in her church community. She was notably charitable, having contributed to many organizations, and to the continued education of the less fortunate. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Whitney, and her husband, David of Augusta; and her daughter, Beverly Lemar; and her granddaughter, Britany Hustus of Gardiner; and her grandson, Aaron Whitney and his wife, Kate, of Windham; and her brother, Ludger Lucas of Natick, Mass, and her sister, Lois Allen of Augusta, and numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 7:00-9:00pm on Thursday, June 14 at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. A memorial celebration of Esther?s life will also be held at the funeral home, at 1:00pm on Friday, with Pastor Bob Farley officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Grove Cemetery in Augusta.