Ella M. Curtis, 96 of Bowdoinham, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. She was able to live at home up until a week before her death.

Ella May Purington was born on February 3, 1915 in Bowdoinham to John A. Purington and Lottie May Buker Purington. Ella was predeceased by two older brothers; Lauris Purington in 1935 and Ralph Purington in 1986. Ella grew up in Bowdoinham and graduated from Coombs High School in 1933. Instead of a graduation ceremony the class requested that the principal allow them to make a class trip to Washington D.C.

Ella went on to Leslie College in Cambridge, MA and earned her degree to teach school in 1935. She taught at the Bishop School, Coombs School, and Bowdoinham Community School for over 30 years-even serving as principal for some of those years. Ella was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society for women dedicated to their teaching profession. She was also member of the Eastern Star, Sunshine Society, and the Bowdoinham 2nd Baptist Church. In retirement she continued to volunteer helping both adults and children learn to read.

Ella married Delmar E. Curtis on July 22, 1939. They ran the D.E. Curtis General Store (now the Bowdoinham Country Store) from 1940 to 1959. Ella was always an active community member helping with the annual Bowdoinham BBQs and supporting the building of the Bowdoinham Community School. Known as “Aunt Ella, Mom, Gram, Grammy and G.G.” she enjoyed visiting with friends and family and always wanted to know how each one was doing. She had a wonderful way of making everyone feel valued and special. She liked to bicycle, snowshoe, travel and birdwatch. She enjoyed going to her winter home in Florida and playing cards with friends.

Ella was predeceased by her husband Delmar in 1983. She is survived by hers sons John Curtis and his wife Jackie of Lisbon Falls and Robert Curtis and his wife Nancy of Bowdoinham. Also sister-in-law Eleanor Purington of Augusta, nephew Dennis Purington of Belgrade and niece Sharon Basinger of Rockwell, NC. Grandchildren include William Curtis and his wife Penny of Richmond, Elizabeth Banda of Readfield, Hannah Dickinson and her husband Steve of Brunswick, Catherine Curtis and her husband Frederick Czerwinski of Bowdoinham, and Christine Moulton and her husband Woody of Cutler. She leaves nine great grandchildren: Meagan, Eric, Crispin, Margaret, Michael, George, Meg, Greg, and Sarah and one great great grandchild Cailey May.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at the Bowdoinham 2nd Baptist Church on Saturday, May 7th at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Bowdoinham 2nd Baptist Church, P.O. Box 57, Bowdoinham, ME 04008 Bowdoinham Community School, 23 Cemetery Road, Bowdoinham, ME 04008