MANCHESTER -- Vesta Leodine Mitchell, 101, of Readfield Road, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born at home in South Portland on March 4, 1909, the youngest of three children, to Walter and Mary (Cole) Brown. Vesta grew up in South Portland in the area that was razed to make way for the Portland Naval Shipyard during World War II. Her proximity to the ocean gave her a lifelong appreciation and love of the sea. She grew up surrounded by the love of her parents, grandparents and her two older brothers, Walter and Maynard. Vesta attended schools in South Portland and, upon graduating from high school, entered Bates College, from which she received her bachelor's degree. In those depression years, she set out to find employment in Texas and later in New Jersey, but soon returned to Maine, where she reconnected with a childhood friend while getting her teacher's license renewed at Portland City Hall. That friend was Elmer Mitchell. They were married after an engagement of several years, during which Vesta taught school in Bucksport. Vesta and Elmer had two daughters, Lynne and Diane. Books were one of her passions, everything from poetry to mysteries. Though not politically active, she loved to follow politics and keep up on local and world affairs through the newspapers and television. Vesta was a regular patron of Lithgow Library. Vesta was predeceased by her husband, Elmer Mitchell; her brothers, Walter and Maynard; two nieces, Mary Brown Sylvia Brown; and a nephew, Maynard Brown Jr. Her family was the most important thing in her life, and her loving survivors include her daughters Diane Welch of Manchester and Lynne Ramsey and her husband, Paul, of Hanover; grandchildren Steve Ramsey and his wife, Francine, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., Lisa Ferguson and her husband, Jon Deveneau, of Madison, N.H., Patrick Welch and his wife, Kerry, of Readfield and Ryan Welch of Manchester; great-granddaughters Lily and Caroline Welch of Readfield and Eleanor Ramsey of Vermont; and great-grandsons Eric and Ian Ferguson and Jesse Deveneau of Madison, N.H., and Mitchell Ramsey of Vermont. In addition, she leaves her nieces Jean Brown of Rhode Island, Beverly Hanson of Florida and Sebago Lake; nephews William Brown and Howard Brown of Portland; and many nieces and nephews of her late husband, who were also very much in her heart. Vesta was a very special and unique lady with a New England reserve that belied her great warmth and caring for others, be they family, strangers or animals. She was an unforgettable mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt to her family. Over the years, she was the great benefactor and servant of countless dogs and cats. The family is very grateful for the wonderful care and support offered by the doctors, nurses and staff at MaineGeneral Medical Center. There will be no visiting. A celebration of Vesta's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Manchester Community Church. Burial will occur in Litchfield Plains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta; or Lithgow Library, 45 Winthrop St., Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. Condolences may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.