Ellen Elizabeth Havu

DAYTON – Ellen “Buttercup” Elizabeth Havu, 86, passed away at Scarborough Maine Veterans’ Homes on August 9, 2022.

She was born in Portland on April 14, 1936, a daughter of the late Richard Hamilton Pelton and Faith Peaslee Pelton.

She attended West Buxton grammar schools where she was known to climb out the library window and head home, graduated from Hollis High School in 1953 and attended Gorham State Teachers College.

She proudly enlisted in 1955 as a Navy WAVE leaving the service in 1957 to marry her childhood sweetheart, Donald Edwin Havu. During this time, she delivered highly classified messages to the Pentagon and was a soloist in the Navy Choir.

She was employed by Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Portland for six years, then becoming a homemaker and raising two daughters. In 1987, she was employed by UNUM for 10 years.

She became a member of the West Buxton Baptist Church at the age of 14. Throughout her many years as a member of the church family, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and held several positions in the church and Ladies Guild. She spent many years as the president of the Hollis Center Public Library Association.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband. They were blessed with 50 years together.

She is survived by her devoted children, E. Melinda Eldridge and significant other, Bill Fisher of West Newfield, Donna Sewell and husband, Tom of Saco, “adopted” daughter, Julie Vickers and husband Richey of Windham, and “adopted” son, Eric French and wife Becca of New Gloucester; treasured grandchildren Emily McLaughlin, Gabriel Reed, Kaitlin and Joshua Sewell; sister, Cynthia Morton; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday August 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the West Buxton Baptist Church, 62 Parker Farm Rd., Buxton. A funeral service will immediately follow the visiting hours at 4 p.m. at the church. A graveside service will be held with U.S. Navy Honors at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland on Monday August 15 at 10 a.m.

Online condolence messages are available at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, http://www.mainefuneral.com

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Scarborough Maine Veterans’ Homes for all the love and care given during the last months of her life.

Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be missed by all!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Buxton Baptist Church.