Brunswick-Esther A. (Gavel) Wallentine, 93, of Bowdoinham died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 24, 2011 at Parkview Hospital.

She was born in Chelsea, MA on March 7, 1918 the daughter of Lewis G. and Edna H. (McGeouch) Gavel.

Esther lived a full life and happy life. She went to business school, worked on payroll for Jordan Marsh in Massachusetts and in Maine. She learned to fly planes and received her license. Esther took outside sewing jobs to pay for flying lessons and received her license at the age of 55. She was a 60 year member of the Second Baptist Church, Bowdoinham, where she was active in raising funds for repairs of the church, along with full restoration of the organ. She taught Sunday School, was president of Ladies Missionary Society and still sponsoring a child in Haut Tamisso through the Christian Children’s Fund.

She went through the chairs of the Eastern Star and was active in the Fireman's Auxiliary.

Esther and Mr. Wallentine went on tours of the world. She continued after his death, on a world cruise and a trip to Senegal, West Africa. In 2004, she compiled a Family History of her father-in-law, Charles Wallentine, who was born in Lithuania, and the Family History of the Gavel Family, the descendants of her great-grandfather, John Tilson Gavel, who lived in Nova Scotia. She was able to get most living descendants to contribute letters about themselves. These will be valuable family treasures as the years go by.

She married first, Gilbert Walker Wildes, Sr. and came to Bowdoinham. They divorced. She married second, John Bernard Wallentine, 1945, a farmer and operator of Riverbend Smelt Camps. She continued to manage the Smelt Camps since his death. She is survived by one sister, Jean E. Osborn, Weston, MA; three sons: Douglas C. Wildes and wife Linda of Chelmsford, MA; Gilbert W. Wildes, Jr. and wife Barbara of Bowdoinham; and Andrew B. Wallentine and his wife Robin of Bowdoinham; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by sister, Ruth M. Stevens, 2003, brother Leonard D. Gavel, 1989, and husband J. Bernard Wallentine 1997.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 4 to 7pm on Wednesday, April 27th at Kincer Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, April 28th at Noon at the Second Baptist Church Main St. Bowdoinham. Burial will take place at Bay View Cemetery in the spring.

Donations in Esther’s name may be made to the Second Baptist Church Main St. Bowdoinham, Me 04008.

Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home 130 Pleasant St. Richmond, Me 04357.