Jean Stetson Strong passed away peacefully, and surrounded by her loved ones, at Hodgdon Green in Damariscotta, on November 15, 2018. She was born in Damariscotta to Arthur Douglas Stetson and Frances Louise House on March 7th, 1931.

Jean grew up on Mills Rd in Newcastle, next door to the Franklin School. She loved school and visited often before becoming a first grader there. She graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1949, and while there she played Varsity sports and was on the LA championship basketball team all four years. She was very involved in her school, participating in clubs and social events. She was a National Honor Society member, and was crowned Prom Queen while there. Jean married Robert D. Strong in 1950, and they had three children; Eugene “Bobby”, Valerie, and Elizabeth “Betsy”.

In addition to being an active mother to her three children, Jean was the bookkeeper at the family business, Strong Chevrolet, for many years. Jean was also involved in many local organizations. She was a life-long member of the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, as well as a long-time volunteer at Miles Memorial Hospital. Jean was proud of her local heritage and attended alumni events at Lincoln Academy, and Damariscotta Historical Society events for as long as she was able. Jean spent many hours pouring over her genealogical roots in the days before computers. How proud she was when she was accepted into the Mayflower Society, with at least three lines back to that famous ship!

She enjoyed gardening at her home on Elm Street until the woodchucks finally defeated her efforts. Her skills as a knitter were excellent, and she designed lovely hats and sweaters for the family over the years. Rug hooking was another passion, and she would design the rugs and hand dye the wool. Her artistic ability was duly noted at Hodgdon Green where she painted many frame worthy pictures of flowers and birds in art class.

Her biggest gift to all by far, was the smile that she greeted everyone with.

In addition to her parents, Jean was predeceased by her husband, Robert D. Strong; her brothers, Douglas and Donald Stetson; her sister, Georgianna Sandeen; and her son, Eugene “Bobby” Robert Strong.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Valerie J. Seibel and her husband Roy Seibel of Damariscotta, and Elizabeth D. Mahan and her husband Stuart Mahan of Damariscotta; her eight grandchildren, Alison Herrick, William Lane, Joseph Lane, Katherine Seibel, Elizabeth Seibel, Kate Kastelein, Stuart Mahan Jr. and Sally Grund; and her six great- grandchildren; Evelyn Herrick, Everett Herrick, Maggie Kastelein, Michael Kastelein Jr., James Grund and Patrick Grund.

A time to visit with her family will be held from 10:00-11:00am, on Saturday, November 24th at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street in Damariscotta. A service will follow at 11:00am, also at the funeral home.

Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Hodgdon Green, PO Box 652, Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.