Laurel P. Wadleigh Obituary (1945

October 18, 2012 Belgrade: Laurel (Lolly) P. Wadleigh passed away Wednesday October 17, 2012 after a long illness and is now in the arms of her Savior, whom she deeply loves and worships. Born in Waterville June 20, 1945 to Ernest A. And Dorothy G. (Tracy) Cook. She grew up in Belgrade, where she has resided all her life. Laurel is predeceased by her faterh, Ernest A. Cook. She is also predeceased by her oldest son, David who passed away at age 17 after a year-long struggle with leukemia. During the last nine months of his life Laurel stayed with him in Boston at the Dana Farba Cancer Institute. Her husband Ted traveled to Boston to be with them on weekends. Lolly s mother and sister helped Ted out with the other children during the week, and cared for them on weekends, when Ted was in Boston. Laurel is survived by Howard (Ted) C. Wadleigh, her beloved and devoted husband of 48 years, whom she married January 25, 1964. She is also survived by two wonderful sons, Craig H. Wadleigh and wife Debra, of Weeks Mills, and Timothy J. Wadleigh and partner Kim Scherer, of Belgrade; also four precious grandchildren, Matthew, Jacob, and twins Jonathan and Marissa; and a step-granddaughter Brandi of Weeks Mills and great grand daughter Daviney. Laurel is also survived by her mother Dorothy G. Cook of Manchester; four sisters, Judith C. Emmons and husband Roger of Belgrade, Sylvia C. Webb and husband, Clyde of Manchester, Anita C. Merrow and husband Eugene of Belgrade, and Cathy R. Dodge of Winslow; a brother in law William A. Wadleigh and wife Debra, of Belgrade, a sister in law Sandra E. Wadleigh of Belgrade; many nieces and nephews; a uncle, Malon A. Tracy and wife Sandra of West Gardiner; amd several cousins, including a special one, Barbara J. Cook who has been more like a sister. Special friends have been Floyd and Alice Damren of Belgrade, who have helped Laurel and Ted tremendously throughout her illness; Cindy Skinner of Belgrade; Linda Pelotte, of Waterville; and Constance Lindquist, of Massachusetts Laurel attended Belgrade Schools, Graduating from Belgrade High School in 1963. Before graduation she attended school while working part-time for Federal Trust Bank in Waterville. Before their first son was born, she and Ted decided she should stop working to stay home to enable her to better help in raising their family. She then began to babysit in her home to help out the family budget. Lolly cared for children of family members, friends and neighbors. Each child she cared for was very special to her. During this time Lolly also became a seamstress, repairing and making clothing. Her greatest interest and pride, however, centered areound her quilting and tole painting; dozens of her quilts were given to family and friends; with her tole painting, Lolly began to skillfully create pictures and designs on her projects. She sewed dolls and animals, stuffing and decorating them. Lolly sold some of her projects from a shop in her home and others at craft fairs. She also did cake decorating, taking orders for all shapes and sizes. Friends are invited to visit 2-4 & 7-9 PM on Friday October 19 at Wheeler Funeral Home 26 Church St. Oakland where a funeral service will be 2:00 PM on Saturday October 20. Www.wheelerfh.com Burial will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Belgrade.