Metella (Washburn) Woodworth

WOODWORTH, Metella (Washburn), 95, Dover-Foxcroft, March 13, 2015. A memorial service/open house will be held at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church on Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. A summer service at Sebec Lake will be announced. Arrangements are under the care of the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft.

Metella (Washburn) Woodworth

    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Metella (Washburn) Woodworth, 95, born October 6, 1919, passed away March 13, 2015, at Mayo Regional Hospital. She was the fourth child of nine children born to Fred and Hattie Washburn.
    She was a 1938 graduate of Foxcroft Academy, 1942 graduate of Burdette College and employed by Harvard University after graduation. In 1946, she married Dwight “Duke” Woodworth of Wellesley, Mass. Their first date was arranged by her sister, Jane, and husband, Herb Grant. Tella and Duke were married on Lawrence Street in Dover-Foxcroft at her childhood home.
    She is survived by four children, Brian Woodworth and wife, Cindy, of Guilford, Dwight Jr. “Woody” Woodworth of Dover-Foxcroft, Fred Woodworth and wife, Sue, from the Isle of Wight, England, and Judy Sternal and husband, Steve, of Dover-Foxcroft. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Joy Vertes, Andy Vertes, Terri Vertes, Katie Thompson, Beth Woodworth and fiancé, Chris Conn, Bryan White, Corie White, Daniel Briggs, Louise Heel and husband, Steve, Becky Ricker and husband, Shane, Charlotte Breton and husband, Derek, and Stephen Matthew Sternal; 11 great-grandchildren: Zoe, Tommy, Justin, Jacob, Nick, Alston, Warren, Brodie, Jarod, Jordan and Ella; a sister, Jane (Washburn) Grant, and her nine children and families; a sister, Carolyn (Washburn) Olson and husband, Ozzie, and their children; a brother, Richard Washburn and children; a special sister-in-law, Barbara (Parkman-Mitchell) Wilson; a nephew, Robert Woodworth and wife, Donna; and many other special nieces and nephews.
    Tella was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Dwight “Duke” Woodworth; parents, Fred and Hattie Washburn; sister, Charlotte (Washburn) Palmer and husband, Leon; brother, Frank Washburn (killed in WWII) and wife, Genie; brother, Robert Washburn and wife, Norma; sister, Bertha (Washburn) Fitzgerald and husband, Tom; sister, Mabel (Washburn) Parkman and husband, Keith; brother-in-law, Herb Grant; niece, Susan Palmer; brother-in-law, Clayton Woodworth, Sr., and wife, Martha; nephew, Clayton Woodworth, Jr.; niece, Helen ‘Boots’ Moran; sister-in-law, Virginia Woodworth; and sister-in-law, Arlene Chapman and husband, Bill.
    Tella dedicated her life to raising a cerebral palsy child from birth to be an independent and self-sufficient individual. She transported him to a special elementary school and high school for handicapped and disabled children. She was a volunteer at Mill Swan School in Worcester, a Den Leader for Cub Scouts, a Girl Scout Leader, Treasurer of High School Band Mothers Association, for many years, and board member of the PTA.
    She transported Woody to Assum-ption College where he earned his master’s degree. Tella attended all of Woody’s classes, took notes for him, and probably should have received a master’s degree herself. Thanks to Tella’s commitment and dedication, Woody has been able to live independently and achieve great successes. He now helps others, advocating for disability rights and contributing to ADA legislation.
    Tella lived in Hopkinton, Mass., for 55 years before moving back to Dover-Foxcroft in 2005. While in Hopkinton, she was Treasurer of the Women’s Club for 15 years, a member of the Hopkinton Rod & Gun Club, the Eastern Star, and the Congregational Church. She was also a member of the Hopkinton, Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford Historical Societies, Sebec Lake Association and Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. She loved square dancing, round dancing and ballroom dancing. She loved vegetable and flower gardening. Tella said “Flowers feed the eyes and the soul”. She was an avid Bridge player, and enjoyed the ‘Washburn Clan’ family card game of ‘hand & foot’. She loved to travel. She visited her son, Fred, in England several times and travelled to Alaska twice. She enjoyed whitewater rafting, loved raising and riding horses, and had many special pets, especially her Yorkshire Silky Terrier, Mandy. She loved spending time with family and friends at her camp on Sebec Lake.
    Tella was beloved by everyone who knew her. She was a gift to all of us. We will miss her smile, kindness and wonderful sense of humor.
    Our family extends a heartfelt thank-you to Angela Jones and her entire staff for their wonderful care during Tella’s stay at Hibbard Nursing Home. We also thank Dave McDermott and doctors and nurses at Mayo Regional Hospital for their kind, tender and loving care for Tella during her final days.
    A memorial service/open house will be held at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church on Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. A summer service at Sebec Lake will be announced.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hattie & Fred Washburn Scholarship Fund at Foxcroft Academy, 975 West Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, Mayo Regional Hospital, 897 W. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, Hibbard Nursing Home, 1037 W. Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, United Cerebral Palsy, 700 Mt. Hope Ave, #320, Bangor, ME 04401; or Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, PO Box 328, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Condolences and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.