Elizabeth Ann Nickerson Westervelt

Elizabeth Ann Nickerson Westervelt, age 91, passed away January 26, 2017 at home in Winslow, Ark., surrounded by her family. She was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine on March 4, 1925 to Florence MacDougal Nickerson and Herbert O. Nickerson. Following Ann's father's death, and her graduation from Fort Fairfield High School in 1942, she and her mother moved to Portland where she continued her education, and worked part- time at the YWCA. Later, Ann went to Miami, Florida where she worked at the YWCA; it was during WWII and Ann's work was registering families who would be able to accommodate the families of service men and women who came to visit them. In 1950 she married the love of her life Harry M. Westervelt, and moved to Freeport, Maine where they raised their children and cared for her mother and his parents. Ann was an active member of the First Parish Church Congregational where she taught Sunday School, was Church Clerk and Treasurer of the Mizpah Women's Group. She retired from the BH Bartol Library, as Head Librarian, in 1993, after 25 wonderful years. Ann thoroughly enjoyed her work, as well as the people she worked with and the people she met. Ann was on the Building Committee for the new Freeport Community Library and she was also on the Library Board. Ann was very proud of her community and was active in many groups. In addition to her Church involvement, she was a Brownie Girl Scout Leader, and a member of Freeport Music Boosters, Dollars for Scholars and always a supporter of Freeport sports programs. She was a Board Member of the Freeport Community Services many years ago, and was thrilled to be chosen "Citizen of the Year" in 2003. In later years, Ann moved to Arkansas to be with her daughter Gretchen and husband Gregg, and where she could be close to other family members. She was able to attend many family gatherings, with those locally and from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and California. She was very happy in Winslow, where she attended the Blackburn Community Covenant Church. Ann was preceded in death by her husband in 1972, and by her two sisters, Stella Gray and Lucia Spear, and two brothers, Donald Nickerson and G. Gilbert Nickerson, as well as her parents. She is survived by her family of whom she was so proud. Twin daughters, Gretchen Melancon and husband, Dr. Gregg of Winslow, Ark., and Nancy Betterley and husband, Carl of Springdale, Ark; son, Carl Westervelt and wife, Wendy of Portland, Maine; grandchildren, Eric Goud and wife,Deb, Sarah Abbott and husband, Doug, Andrea Theis, Gretchen Cardarelli, Alex Westervelt, Ryan Westervelt, Monica Aaskov and Cole Aaskov; and great-grandchildren, Madeleine and Elena Goud, Colin and Emily Abbott, Lucia and Chase Theis and AJ Cardarelli and Emily, Kenzie and Caleb Walker. She is also survived by Nancy Rogers, the Melancon family and the Sumner Smith family. Funeral service will be held Monday, January 30, 2017, 11 a.m. at the Blackburn Community Covenant Church in Winslow under the direction of Beard's Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blackburn Community Covenant Church Building Fund c/o Marsha Cooley, Pastor, P.O. Box 165, Winslow, Ark. 72959. The family would like to extend special thanks to Washington Regional Hospice for their kind and loving care. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.