THORNDIKE — Leona Frances (Orff) Esancy, 88, of Thorndike, died April 3, 2015, at Sussman House in Rockport. She was born July 15, 1926, in Waldoboro, the daughter of Ruel and Edith (White) Orff.

Leona attended the first one-room schoolhouse in North Waldoboro and was taught by her aunt, Rachel Orff. Later in life she achieved her high school diploma. She became a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, where she achieved 120 lb. weight loss in 1977. She worked hard at home raising her family as well as working at Sylvania's in Waldoboro, packing fish in Rockland and Seven Elms Board Home in Washington.

Her hobbies included reading, shopping, knitting and crocheting, gardening and canning, and sitting in her swing singing with her children and grandchildren. In 1959, she moved with her husband to Burkettville, where they resided until her stroke in 1991. They then moved in with their daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Delton Curtis, in Thorndike, where they enjoyed the remainder of their years together.

Special thanks to Becky and Delton for making such a special home for them in their daylight basement for all their time, love and support that was given so freely and lovingly.

After her fall in 2007, Leona spent her last years at Quarry Hill in Camden where she made many friends and was known as the Queen and a lover of baby powder. Leona enjoyed many activities there: playing cribbage with her son, Scott, taking bubble baths, daily naps, going outside and enjoying the many beautiful flower gardens and the pond with the fountain — Her favorite activity was singing. During the last few months of her life, she looked forward to her daily visits from her daughter, Olive, as well as the time spent with her other children as they all catered to her wants and needs. Many staff members and friends commented on how blessed she was to have so much company. Leona faced many medical challenges and limitations which she handled with grace and dignity. She taught her family and friends endless lessons about resilience, love, loyalty and determination.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 40 years, Kenneth H. Esancy in 1997; a granddaughter, Heather Charlene Till; a great-grandson, Matthew H. W. Adams; and her siblings, Kenneth Orff, Mary Bowman, Dick Orff, Linwood Orff, Charlotte Noyes and Elaine Orff.

Leona is survived by her loving children, Jacquelyn M. Adams, Olive Tinker and her partner, Pete, Bette A. Curtis and her husband, Larry, Scott K. Esancy and his wife, Christine, and Rebecca Curtis and her husband, Delton; her grandchildren, Kenneth Butler, Vicki Eugley, William Carleton, Roxanne Curtis, Derek Adams, Sarah Leona, Malachi, Noah, Jonah, Christopher, and Samantha Esancy, Holly McDonald and Charity Vines; 25 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Arvine Orff, Pat Cross, Rayetta Simmons, Judy Westman and Darlene Hale; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She will be remembered by them all for her sharp, funny and demanding sense of humor, her wonderful singing voice and her beautiful smile. She was the heart and soul of her family and it will be very difficult learning how to live without her.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 10 at 1 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast. A committal will be held in the spring at Shuman Cemetery in Waldoboro.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions in her memory to the Sussman House, 4 Anchor Way, Rockport, ME 04856.