Estela G. Lane
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Published in The County on March 5, 2024
LINNEUS – With heavy, tired, but ultimately relieved hearts, we announce that Estela G. Lane concluded her battle with ALS March 4, 2024, at the age of 72. She was born February 21, 1952, to Raymond and Henrietta Gutierrez in Pecos, Texas.
Estela is survived by her husband, Michael; her three sons, Gabriel, Jesse, and Andrew; grandchildren, Silas, Sanne, and Eneko; brothers, Gilbert, Ray Jr. (Buddy), and Joseph (Sonny); and three daughters-in-law, Kirsten, Kelly, and Kristin. Her family is at peace knowing she is at home with her parents and brothers in the arms of the Lord.
At 1 year old, her family, including seven brothers, Jerry, Johnny, Gilbert, Joe, Buddy, Sonny, moved to Michigan, where she later met her life-long best friend, Kim, and her husband, Michael.
Fed up with the hustle and bustle of city life, they drove cross-country to rural Linneus, Maine, to start their new life together. From a humble yurt with goats and chickens to their ever-growing home on the hill, nestled on the doorstep of the Maine wilderness, Estela built her life with Michael through sweat, hard work, and untempered love.
To say Estela was dedicated would be a discredit to the essence of her being. Estela graduated from UMPI with a degree in social work, then proceeded to devote thirty-two years to elder and adult protective services at the Department of Health and Human Services. She had a tireless passion in advocacy for and service to others, never accepting a drop until every other soul had their share. Her commitment to others radiated into all aspects of her community, serving on the school board for Hodgdon MSAD 70 for fifteen years and for the Linneus Rec. Center Little League and CLA. Estela’s father Raymond was a critical part of the UMOI, the United Migrant Opportunity Services Incorporated, wherein he helped migrants secure jobs, file taxes and establish themselves in the United States. Estela credited her father Raymond for her drive to serve others through her dedication to social work.
It is this same dedication to her work that tilled and nurtured the soil of her family. Despite how much she poured into her work, there was always far more left in reserves to give to her boys and, eventually, to her grandchildren and daughters-in-law. No occasion or holiday went uncelebrated, no achievement left unhonored, nor tears left on a cheek that could be kissed away. She was more than loving; she set the standard for love and compassion that we may only attempt to emulate for our own families. Choosing a picture for her obituary was nearly impossible, as there are almost no photographs of her sitting still, not laughing, or alone. This loving veneer was, of course, completely stripped away by her bloodthirsty tactics when it came to family games around the kitchen table. Hearts, Canasta, Up and Down the River, even UNO and Skip-Bo; no game was safe from the Scorpion Queen, not even those for 6 and up.
Her absence will be painful, but she taught all of us in so many ways how to fill the hole she left behind. Her presence will follow us in the pieces of her we take with us, sitting on the ofrenda in our hearts every day. We miss you mom, the same today as we will next year and those after.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 1-2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Houlton Wesleyan Church, 18 Kelleran St., Houlton, where a service will be held at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Wayne Robertson officiating. Estela requested that donations in her memory be made to CCALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. Condolences, stories, and words of remembrance can be expressed at DunnFuneral.com.
