An 82-year-old Falmouth woman has died after being struck by a car Thursday evening near the Portland police station on Middle Street.

Lee Whittier, described by family members as an exceedingly thoughtful woman who was fond of Christmas, was crossing Middle Street near Church Street when she was struck by an eastbound 2005 Honda CR-V sport utility vehicle at 5:20 p.m., police said.

The car was driven by Tori Stewart, 36, of Yarmouth. The crash remains under investigation but no charges have been filed, police said.

Whittier was taken to Maine Medical Center, where she later died of her injuries.

Police said visibility was poor because it was dark and rainy and Whittier was not in a crosswalk.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Whittier, three sons and seven grandchildren.

Family members had planned to be together at the Sunday River ski resort for Christmas, when they traditionally have dinner at The Bethel Inn.

Instead, Whittier’s relatives gathered Friday at her and her husband’s house, which she had decorated with greens and poinsettias for the holiday. Presents for her grandchildren were purchased, wrapped and waiting.

“She loved Christmas,” said her youngest son, Michael Whittier.

He said she tried to get everyone the perfect gift – an extension of the kindness she showed year-round.

“She just loved people. She saw the best in everybody,” said another son, Stephen Whittier. “She always asked questions and always wanted to know what was going on in other people’s days or weeks or world.”

Madeleine Whittier, 19, her eldest grandchild, said her grandmother put her and her cousins “on a pedestal” and never missed a concert or school play during their childhood.

Originally from Albany, New York, Lee Whittier met her husband in her home state while they were both in college – she at Manhattanville and he at University of Rochester, Michael Whittier said.

Her husband, a native Mainer, persuaded her to move back here with him. His job for Hannaford Bros. had them living in Yarmouth, Ellsworth and Bath, then back in the Portland area.

His mother was an art teacher, before raising children Michael Whittier said, and continued to paint for the rest of her life.

She and her husband also enjoyed sailing, and took an annual summer boat trip to Bar Harbor with family or friends. They spent time during the winter at Sunday River.

Whittier had been shopping at the Maine Mall on Thursday before going to an appointment in Portland, where she was struck.

She died during a year that has seen the most pedestrian fatalities in Maine since at least 2005, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety. As of Dec. 3 there had been 16 pedestrians killed in accidents involving motor vehicles this year.

Police asked that anyone with information about Thursday’s crash call them at 874-8532.