Eileen Pelletier ... active in Rochester Historical Society

ROCHESTER - Eileen Gloria (Campbell) Pelletier died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 19, 2021, in Rochester at the age of 85.

Born to parents Myron Sr. and Eileen Campbell, Eileen grew up in Minot Corner, Maine with brothers Myron, Robert, Tom, John, Ronald, and sister Jean.

She attended and graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, in 1954, and married her high school sweetheart Arthur Pelletier, Jr., enjoying 64 years of marriage. Their union produced two sons: Arthur III and his wife Tracy, of North Hampton, and Jeffrey, of Kittery Point, Maine.

Eileen enjoyed her family life above all else. She reveled in the enjoyment of her grandchildren Miranda, Jeremy, Katelyn, Taylor, and Hannah, contributing a significant amount of her time to their care and development. She was a devoted and enthusiastic attendee of her children and grandchildren's sports games, events, and celebrations throughout her life.

Eileen Gloria, or "Glo" as Arthur referred to her, also took great pleasure in genealogy, researching and frequently posting histories and photographs of her relatives, friends, and acquaintances' genetic lines. She was an avid contributor of photographs and narratives to several online resources and would assist others in their search for antecedents, documents, and resources.

A Civil War buff, Gloria and Arthur made frequent trips to Williamsburg, Pa., and Salisbury, N.C., and studied the exploits of Maine's 16th Regiment, in which her great, great grandfather, Sgt. James Parsons served and perished defending his country.

Nicknamed "Short-smoke," Gloria was an avid reader. She read and shared her love of reading with her entire family. She enjoyed military and political non-fiction and savored engaging in lively debates of current events. She was a frequent and fervent visitor and supporter of public libraries, as well. Escorting her grandchildren on weekly trips to the library to attend events and to check out books, she recently contributed to the expansion of the Rice Public Library in Kittery, Maine, with both financial contributions and historical materials.

Gloria and her husband were active members of Rochester Historical Society, as well. Through their leadership, the society was able to secure and open a dedicated museum space to Rochester's history, which endures to this day.

Gloria would tell you herself that she was an adequate cook, but a better-than-average baker. The cookies and cakes that she would frequently create were family favorites; especially her Molasses Cookies and Mandarin Orange Salad.

With a quick wit and a hearty laugh, Gloria reveled in inciting lively discussion and frivolity with her just slightly inappropriate banter. Her enjoyment of life, and her passion for family, was contagious, infecting all who knew and were around her.