Alberta L. Putansu, obituary

Tue, 10/29/2019 - 9:15am

WARREN — Alberta L. Putansu, 87, entered the presence of her Lord, Saturday, October 26, 2019, at the Sussman House in Rockport, after an extended illness.

Born in Rockland, January 25, 1932, she was the daughter of Sidney N. and Lena Post Sprague. She attended local schools and was Valedictorian of Rockland High School, class of 1950. She attended Gordon College in
Massachusetts.

October 3, 1957, she married Harold E. Putansu in Rockland. They made their first home in South Thomaston.

One day the couple’s two-year-old daughter fell into a well. Alberta was hanging out laundry and had turned her back only a moment when she lost sight of her daughter. A frantic search ensued when she found the child in
a dug well, clinging precariously to a pipe. After summoning help, Alberta carried a ladder from a barn, but could not get the ladder into the well without disturbing her daughter, who by this time was floating face down in the water. This frantic, devoted mother found a way to climb down into the well herself, pull her daughter from the water and hold her, pleading God’s care, until help arrived. Her daughter ultimately survived, and through her provided Alberta two beloved grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Alberta’s daughter Kathleen has said, “Not only did my mother give me life, but she saved my life as well!”

Alberta’s family remembered a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who always thought of others before herself. The Sunday dinners she hosted at her home and the many pies she made for Thanksgiving, (although she always said she didn’t like to cook) still bring many fond, warm and mouthwatering memories. An accomplished pianist, in earlier years she played piano at First Baptist Church in Rockland.

For several years, she worked at Carousel Tack Shop at Hill-N-Dale farm in Warren, to support her daughter’s love of horses and participation in the competitive Horse Show circuit. She enjoyed serving as homeschool math teacher to her grandchildren, which gave her the opportunity to mentor them in other aspects of a Godly woman. She was known as a wonderful listener, who could engage anyone in conversation but would then be happy to simply listen to the other pour out their heart.

She enjoyed swimming in the family’s pool and visiting with family and friends in conversation, with refreshments on her porch. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren.

Over the years, the Putansus’ shared their love with and made a home for, three German Shepard dogs. Their present canine companion Katie was particularly devoted and stayed by Alberta’s bedside all the time.

Other than her beloved husband of 62 years, Harold E. Putansu, Alberta is survived by her daughter Kathleen Williams and her husband Greg all of Warren; two grandchildren, Andrew Williams and his wife Rebekah of
Warren, Kelly Williams Sacco and her husband Joe of Valley Center, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Ava, Emery, Madison and Lucy.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Monday, November 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

A celebration of Alberta’s life will be held Tuesday, November 5, at 11 a.m., at Calvary Baptist Church, 185 Atlantic Highway, Warren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rockland District Nursing Association, P.O. Box 1713, Rockland, ME 04841.