Obituary of Mary Ellen Wentzel

MARY ELLEN WENTZEL 1932 - 2018 Mary Ellen (French) Wentzel, 86, died peacefully at her Vassalboro home and went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2018. She was born in Waterville, Maine, on February 21, 1932, the last of six children of Eunice Myrtle (Pollard) French and Thomas Cowan French, who founded French’s Market Gardens of South China, Maine in 1937. Mary attended elementary school in South China and graduated from South China’s Erskine Academy in the class of 1950, while also working on the family farm. In 1947, she met her future husband, Philip Martin Wentzel of Augusta, Maine, at a dance at South China’s Lakeview Pavilion, prior to his tour of duty in Allied-occupied Japan with the Army of the United States. From 1950 to 1952, she studied at the School of Practical Art (Art Institute of Boston) and was employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance. On September 13, 1952, Mary married Philip Wentzel. They remained married for over 65 years until his death on February 6, 2018. They resided first in Augusta, then Weeks Mills and South China, and lastly Vassalboro. Together they had three sons. Mary’s many interests included showing and riding horses, sewing, home renovation and decorating—converting old houses into cherished family homes—and always supporting family and friends. Throughout her life she spent many hours volunteering at soup kitchens and churches, tending to the needy and creating a sense of community. In later years she followed her spiritual calling to study the scriptures and lead Bible study groups both at home and at a variety of venues in central Maine. One of the highlights of Mary’s life was a month-long around-the-world tour in 1970, on which she visited numerous religious shrines. With the great stamina and dedication instilled by her farm upbringing, Mary grew a large vegetable garden every year, froze or preserved the harvest, and provided her family with countless delicious home-cooked meals. We will never forget her boundless energy and the strength of her faith and character. Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Philip, both of her parents, and her siblings Thomas J. (“Buster”) French, Edward W. (“Jim”) French, Eunice E. Bernier and husband Odilon A. (“Pete”) Bernier, Francis F. French and wife Iona (Stein) (French) Weinstein, and Charlotte L. Page, and also by Peter O. Bernier, son of Eunice and Odilon. She is survived by her three sons: Robert F. Wentzel and wife Valerie Hunter of Portland, OR, Thomas M. Wentzel and wife Cynthia Meier of Tucson, AZ, and John P. Wentzel of Vassalboro; former daughter-in-law Nancy (Favor) (Wentzel) Phinney of Santa Barbara, CA; three grandsons: Robert and Nancy’s Lt. Col. (USAF) Jonathan F. and wife Claire Wentzel, Major (USAF) James B., and wife Kimberly Wentzel, and Robert and Valerie’s Joshua H. Wentzel; and four great-grandchildren: Jon and Claire’s Alice R. and Bruce C., and James and Kim’s Kaden M. and Audrey E. She is also dearly remembered by her sisters- and brothers-in-law Anna Beth (Packard) (French) Rynders of Waterville, Paul H. Page of South China, Lola (Wentzel) (Houston) Harris of Berkeley, CA, Arthur Clark of Belgrade, and by her many nieces and nephews and their families. The family would like to thank Josephine Wood for her loving care and support during Mary’s final months. A joint memorial service for Mary and Philip will be held at their Vassalboro home on Saturday, August 18 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow. Email jpwentzel@twc.com for more information. Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to a charity of choice.