Obituary of PearlAnne Lester

PearlAnne Lester

Born on September 7, 1938, in the small, very northern town of Danforth, Maine, PearlAnne was the sixth child born to Stanley Lee and Averill Daggett Lee. Her unique name came from a combination of a cousin and the nurse who delivered her. Spending her childhood in Danforth where her father was the sheriff, she made May Day baskets as a child and chose not to learn how to sew, like some of her sisters. PearlAnne was not interested in that – she was a tom boy. She walked to school every day (yep, uphill both ways and in the middle of blizzards) sneaking cigarettes at a neighbor’s house with her childhood best friend, Anna Maria. She enjoyed playing basketball in high school and did not take kindly to bullies, but stuck up for herself and any of her classmates when needed. Never a crowd follower, she ran to the beat of her own drum and was known to be as honest, direct, and stubborn as the day is long.

Though she did not have a college degree, PearlAnne was extremely intelligent. With her vast knowledge from listening to the old radio story programs as a child and reading everything she could get her hands on, her children often said she should be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune or the Jeopardy game show. At the age of 48, she went back to school and got her medical assistant certification.

PearlAnne married Ralph Knights of Brookton, Maine, in 1956, and they were together for over 30 years. They moved to Raymond, Maine, in the late 1960’s and together, they built their beautiful home on Route 85. She designed the entire kitchen and made sure that a space was provided for a Dish Machine – something she never had with the first five kids and would be darned if she didn’t get one.

With countless shenanigans, arguments, and some not-so-pleasant meetings with the school principal, she would tell everyone that her greatest achievement was raising their seven children – four boys and three girls. Remember that she was stubborn and stuck up for those who couldn’t stick up for themselves? Well, let me tell you… if anyone ever looked down upon, picked on, or took advantage of one of her children, PearlAnne would not stand for it, and would march right up to that school and tell them what day it was – that is if she didn’t have the opportunity to knock them into the middle of next week. She demanded respect for herself and more for her children.

After Ralph’s death in what was a cold day in November of 1986, PearlAnne had only her youngest daughters at home. The twins were 16 and still needed a strong mother, so she kept going on, doing her best to continue loving and caring for them as a single mother, encouraging them to be the best they could be.

When the girls graduated high school, she found herself alone for the first time since being married. She started looking for a job. It was when she answered a newspaper classified ad for a companion of an elderly lady in the same town that she met Peter Lester. They fell in love and were happily married for 32 wonderful years. Getting to ride along side of her husband, PearlAnne realized how much she enjoyed traveling this beautiful countryside. From Maine to California and so many places in between, Peter shared his devoted love and opened the world to her. He cared for her endlessly.

Most importantly, PearlAnne loved God. She was faithful, ever faithful. She would never waste an opportunity to share with people she knew and also complete strangers about God’s grace and blessings and how to get saved.

PearlAnne passed peacefully on June 20, 2024, with family at her side. She was known to us as PearlAnne/Mom/Grammy/Great Grammy – Loved so much by so many. All of us left behind are very sad even though we know she is at peace in the place she strived to be for your entire life.

In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers George Lee, Milo Lee, sisters Esther Osnoe and Mable Cole, son George Knights, great granddaughter, Emma.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Peter Lester, as well as by her sister Shirley Severance, children, Denise Knights, Michael Knights and partner Cynthia Doherty, Ralph Knights, Jr., David Knights and wife Leila, Janice Knights and partner Kelly Lockary, and Janet Knights and partner Darryl Murray, daughter-n-law Maryann Cronan-Knights. Grandchildren, Genna Tinker and husband Jesse, Jeremy Casavola, Gregory Casavola, Joshua Knights, Jason Knights, Christopher Knights and wife, Nichole, Morgan Knights, Zach Pelletier, Jordan Pelletier, Rebekah Knights, Cienna Knights, Alana Knights, Elise Knights, Nathan Parr, Jolyne Parr. Great grandchildren, Skyler, Logan, Alexa, Kaylin, and Zara, Mallory Casavola, and Maiya pelletier, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A service of remembrance for PearlAnne will be held at the American Legion Hall Post 155 (downstairs) in Naples, Maine on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Those who wish to remember PearlAnne in a special way can make a donation towards a headstone.  Memories and condolences may be shared on her tribute wall.