Staff

Staff members of Knowlton & Hewins and Roberts Funeral Homes are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors.



Thomas C. "Tommy" Newhall

Funeral Director, Staff Tactician

Tommy joined the team of caring professionals at Family first Funeral Homes in Winthrop, Augusta, Gardiner, Oakland, Brunswick and Fairfield in March of 2020. He has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1993 and has had more than 25 years of funeral service experience. He graduated from New England Institute at Mount Ida College. During the span of Tommy’s funeral service career he has managed several funeral homes and owned and operated his own in Massachusetts.

Tommy is passionate about helping and supporting families create a memorable celebration honoring the life of their loved one. He is devoted most to helping all who may need it during this difficult process.

In addition to the families he supports, Tommy also holds in high esteem the greater communities in which they come from. Through volunteering and holding days of appreciation he recognizes and honors the work put forth by Police, Fire and Rescue as well as other public safety providers that keep us safe. As well, Tommy holds a special place in his heart for the men and women serving and those that served courageously and faithfully.

Tommy’s top priorities are to make families feel well cared for and to make sure all wishes and details for their loved ones are carried through with the utmost dignity and respect.

Outside of work, Tommy enjoys participating in various local organizations. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Abnaki Council 334, the Augusta Elks, the Maranacook Lake Association, and the Hillandalers Snowmobile Club. He resides in Winthrop, Maine with his wife Robin and their three daughters, Teagan, Brigid “Bridie” and Rilee Kate. Tommy loves the mountains, lakes, rivers, and the seaside of Maine. Tommy is an avid hiker, kayaker, snowmobiler, and fishermen. He loves the local music scene, to cook and feed everybody and is a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox.

“People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how You made them feel.” - Maya Angelou



Lynn Roberts Reed

licensed funeral director

Lynn graduated from Winthrop High School in 1978, the University of Maine at Augusta in 1984, and FINE Mortuary School in 2007. She was Co-owner and President of Knowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Homes and Cremation Service until 2018. Lynn is a Bereavement Facilitator, providing guidance to help children of all ages and their families understand death and the grieving process. Lynn and her brother, Leon, are the sixth generation in the family funeral service. She is active in the community and local schools and, upon request, offers workshops to local schools and organizations. She lives in Winthrop with her husband, Steve. In her free time she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and spending time with her family.


Leon C. Roberts

licensed funeral director

Leon graduated from Winthrop High School in 1981, Arizona State University in 1985, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta in 1997. He was Co-owner and Vice-President of Knowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Homes and Cremation Service until 2018. He is a member of the Maine Funeral Directors Association. Leon and his sister, Lynn, are the sixth generation in the family funeral service.


Hugh H. LeMaster

licensed funeral director

Hugh H. LeMaster is a 1978 graduate of Monmouth Academy and a 1989 Magna Cum Laude graduate of The New England Institute of Applied Arts and Science where he received an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. Hugh is a Licensed Funeral Director and has been a member of the Knowlton Hewins Roberts Staff since 2005. He is a member of the Maine Funeral Directors Assoc. and a member of the board of directors of the Maine Cemetery Association, a Capt. with the Monmouth Fire Dept. where he has served for over 35 years, and president of the Monmouth cemetery association along with many other community involvements. Hugh's activities include, fishing, snowmobiling, and ATV riding.

Hugh and his wife Doris (Boisvert) LeMaster reside in Monmouth on the old LeMaster 1790's ancestral farm. They have a son, U.S. Marine SSGT Joseph R.P. LeMaster and a grandson, Joseph C.H.LeMaster


Rilee K. Newhall

Licensed Funeral Director

Rilee graduated from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and has been a Licensed Funeral Director since December of 2022. She has been involved in Funeral Service since she was just a little girl and was part of her family owned and operated Funeral Home in Massachusetts.

Rilee used to love going to work with her dad, Tommy Newhall, at the “Fruit Roll Home.” Ever since she was young, she showed interest in helping and caring for families that had lost a loved one. Rilee currently resides in Winthrop and loves serving families in her community.

Outside of work, she enjoys going on hikes with her 4-legged sidekick, “Winnie” and going to the gym, as well as spending time with family.

“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” -Anonymous


Robin DesJardins

Office Manager

Robin joined the team of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home in August 2013. She has been in Office Management for over 30 years and until 2013 had no experience in Funeral service. She loves been compassionate with families at the most difficult times and it is an honor to help with their grieving process.

Robin lives on Maranacook Lake in Readfield with her husband Ed and her Golden Retriever Ben. She enjoys the outdoors, and all the lake has to offer with swimming, boating, fishing, and ice skating in winter.

"There is always light. If only we were brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it." — Amanda Gorman


Jeffrey Gleason

Licensed Funeral Attendant


Ralph Butts

Maintenance / Grounds


Tenlee Delano

Funeral Practitioner Trainee

Tenlee joined the Family First team in February of 2023. Having worked at the City of Bath Cemetery department for 15 years she did everything from landscaping to equipment operator, she decided to take her career further. In 2022 she enrolled at Mid-America college of funeral service and fulfill her dream of being a Funeral Director. Helping people and animals has always been a passion of hers.

“One kind word can change someone’s entire day” -Andrea Reiser

She lives in Woolwich, Maine with her husband, two daughters, Madelyn and Piper along with their golden retriever Knight. In her free time, she enjoys painting, spending time outside with her family, hiking, kayaking, and exploring old gem mines. She loves to cook/bake, no one ever leaves her house hungry. She also enjoys volunteering at wildlife rehabs when time allows.

“Show up, work hard, be kind, spread love and work on yourself every single day.” - Unknown


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