LEWISTON — Madelyn H. Crafts, 78, of Lisbon Falls, passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, following a short illness, at the Central Maine Medical Center with her loving family at her side.

She was born in Bath, Sept. 11, 1934, a daughter of the late John Walter and Flora (Wyman) Thayer. She attended schools in the Bath area, graduating from Morse High School in 1952. On July 3, 1952, she married the love of her life, John Crafts, and they celebrated their 61 years together this past July.

Madelyn and John lived most of their life in the Lisbon Falls area where together they worked and raised their young family of five children. She was a loving and caring homemaker who dedicated her life to caring for her family. Her faith was her strength in life and she was an active member of the Lisbon Falls Baptist Church.
In her younger days she enjoyed candlepin bowling, snowmobiling, and volunteering for the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Ladies Missionary Society and being a Boy Scout leader. She was an avid follower of the Red Sox, a snow bird who loved wintering in Florida yet after a few months was ready to return home to her family, and was known as an outstanding cook and took great joy in cooking for others. At the end of the day though, the center of her life was her family and her Heavenly Father, God.
Madelyn is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, John Crafts; five children, David Crafts and wife Cheryl of Lisbon Falls, Sue Crafts of Lisbon, Randall Crafts and wife Karen of Lisbon Falls, Dale Crafts of Lisbon Falls, and Beth Bell and husband Gordon of Auburn; 17 grandchildren, Jennifer Caldwell and husband Chris, Shannon Morris and husband Dan, Jay Crafts and wife Kirsten, Heidi Whisman and husband Cory, Jan Arsenault, Luke Arsenault and wife Jessica, Bridget Burkhardt and husband Jeff, Katie Crafts, Ashley Grenier and husband Darrell, Bobbi-Lee Jeselskis and husband Randy, Kellianne Amezcua, Emily Crafts, John Crafts, Dale Crafts, Clayton Crafts, Jeffrey Haggerty and Annalise Haggerty; 23 great-grandchildren, Kyle Dyer, Courtney Caldwell, Elizabeth Lawrence, Kadin Lawrence, Nathan Morris, Delaney Morris, Connor Crafts, Parker Crafts, Chase Arsenault, Lilly Whisman, Zoe Blais, Kloey Arsenault, Hank Arsenault, Hunter Burkhardt, Elle Burkhardt, Adeline Burkhardt, Gavin Grenier, Emma Grenier, Calvin Jeselskis, Grant Jeselskis, Brody Jeselskis, Leighton Jeselskis and Ravenna Amezcua; a sister, Flora Reed and husband John of Woolwich; brothers-in-law, Charles Card and James Young; and her beloved pet, “Benji.”

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Grace Young, Elsie Card, Carol Mack and husband John Mack; and a brother, John Walter Thayer II and wife Verlyn Thayer.

The family wishes to thank and praise the staff at CMMC Single Stay Unit (Y3) for an incredible job in caring for and comforting our mother, and family.
You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Crafts family by visiting their guest book at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.

Visitation will be held at The Crosman Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. at Lisbon Falls Baptist Church. Committal services will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Lisbon Falls.
Those wishing may make donations in Madelyn’s memory to “The Madelyn Crafts, Lisbon Falls Christian Academy Scholarship Fund,” P.O. Box 160, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252. The Crosman Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, is located at 40 Main St., Lisbon Falls (353-4951).