She was born in Steep Falls, Maine on October 3, 1929 to Simon Moulton and Rachel Strout Moulton. Leah grew up with her older brother Willard, twin sister Lora and sister Ruth in a homestead situated on Route 35 on the Moulton Orchard property overlooking Sebago Lake. She graduated from Standish High School, class of 1946 and the University of Maine, class of 1950 with a B.A. in English which she utilized putting her knowledge to work for the libraries at the University of California at Santa Cruz and subsequently for the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Leah married Aaron N. Nelson, Jr., of Gorham, on March 13, 1953. They enjoyed many camping and fishing trips both with friends and family on the west coast and in Maine. They raised a family and lived in various locations including Santa Cruz, California and Presque Isle, Maine before later moving to Brunswick in 1995.
Leah was an avid outdoorswoman who enjoyed all “Vacationland” had to offer for camping, fishing and canoeing. Leah many times subscribed to the “Tonic of the Wilderness” as Thoreau put it, enjoying the many ponds, lakes and streams of the Northern Maine Woods and Baxter State Park. Leah also loved ocean shores taking long walks scouting for driftwood and seeking out the “just right” shell at places like Popham Beach, a skill she took with her and greatly refined while the family resided on the beaches of the West Coast in California for many years. Leah loved fresh water as well, having enjoyed many summer days swimming as a child, wife and mother with her children, family and friends at Pequawket Lake and the nearby Saco River. Leah was an avid reader and member of two book clubs, accomplished Bridge player, knitter, bird watcher, crossword enthusiast and stout competitor in the game of Cribbage. Till her passing Leah continuously enjoyed many active, longstanding, rich and rewarding lifelong friendships in and around Standish and more recently the Brunswick area.
Leah was predeceased by her parents, her husband Aaron N. Nelson Jr., sisters Lora White and Ruth Moulton. Leah is survived by her three children, daughter Carol Freshley and her husband Craig of Brunswick, ME, and sons Eric Nelson and his wife Peggy of Ashfield, MA, and Mark Nelson of Portland, OR. She was known as Grammie to her four grandchildren: Dana and Sara Freshley and Aaron and Samuel Nelson. She is also survived by her brother Willard Moulton of Gorham and her companion Horace Stevens and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 11 am at the First Parish Church, 9 Cleaveland St., Brunswick, ME with reception to follow. Internment will be at Steep Falls Cemetery in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
The Trust for Public Land – Maine, 30 Danforth Street, Suite 106, Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: (207) 772-7424 or https://www.tpl.org/donate/me
William J. Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011
Phone: (207) 725-5242 or http://www.curtislibrary.co m/giving-opportunities-at-curtis-library
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Khalil Gibran
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