Mildred Temple Tourtelotte of Bowdoinham went to be with the Lord on November 10, 2021 at the age of 94.  She was the last child born at the Temple homestead to Adelbert & Flora Bickford Temple on March 27, 1927.  She arrived shortly after her twin Milton.  When the 8 siblings were told they had a brother, they were thrilled.  Moments later, they were told to sit tight because another surprise would be arriving soon.  They were all excited because they thought they were getting the pony they had been begging for.  Though Mildred was a letdown at first, it wasn’t long before everyone was in love with “Sis”.  She and Milton were lifelong best friends and claimed to have never had a disagreement.

Mildred loved her family life on the farm and shared many stories of it with her family.

She met her future husband, Erland Tourtelotte, Jr. when he moved to Bowdoinham at the age of 16.  They married after his return from the war in 1946.  They settled in Bowdoinham and raised their four children.

Mildred loved God and her family.  That was always enough for her.  No one ever left her home without something good to eat.  People knew what time meals were served and it was a common thing for them to happen by at those times.  Adults, as well as children, always headed right for the candy dish first.  If you happened by on doughnut day, you got an extra treat!

She was easy going and “Never” complained, even when she had good reason to.  Her faith kept her going through all circumstances.  She always listened without judgement and loved unconditionally.

She took the time to have a personal, unique bond with every grandchild and most of the great grandchildren.  She was up for whatever they wanted to do.  She would catch frogs and bugs, sail boats in the brook, have birthday parties for loved stuffed animals, hike through the woods or just sit with them to read.  She taught the older great grandchildren to play Flinch and then they all laughed because she won most of the time.

Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Erland, “Jr” in 2014 and all of her siblings-Edgar, Charles, Hollis, Adelbert & Milton Temple and Bertha Small, Nellie Wheeler, Josephine Hill and Virginia Humphrey.  She is survived by three sons and a daughter.  Vern Tourtelotte and wife, JoAnn of Pittston, Dan Tourtelotte and Deb of Guilford, Doug Tourtelotte and wife, Ann of Bowdoinham and Kathy Jennings and husband, Ryan, of Bowdoinham.  She had 9 grandchildren, Jennifer Hebert of Pittston, Eric Tourtelotte of Garland, Chris Jennings of GA, Peggy Wilcox of VA, Matt Jennings of Bowdoinham, Missy Werkman of MI, Danny Tourtelotte and Joel Tourtelotte both of Newburgh, Joe Tourtelotte of Bowdoinham and two step grandchildren, Adam Samson of Bowdoinham and Casey Whorff of West Bath.  An additional 17 great grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren plus 1 arriving any day.

There will be a celebration of life on November 21, 2021 from 1-3 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy & Ryan Jennings at 151 White Road, Bowdoinham.        

                                                                                 The Dash

A read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend, he referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke the following date with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the DASH between those years.

For that DASH represents all the time that she spent alive on earth.  And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash, what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our DASH.