Faulkner, Esther Orr, 84, December 26, 2014. Visiting hours will be held Friday, January 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home. Services will be Saturday, January 3 at 11 a.m. at the Wesleyan Church. Interment to be held at the Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements by Dunn Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON – Esther Orr Faulkner, 84, passed away peacefully December 26, 2014, at Madigan Estates Nursing Home while recovering from a brief illness. She was born February 18, 1930, in Winchester, MA, the daughter of Forrest W. and Adrienne F. Orr.
Esther grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts and graduated from Winchester High School in 1948. She spent her childhood summers at the family cottage in Harpswell where she developed a deep love for the Maine coast and for painting, which she learned from her father who was an accomplished watercolor artist and illustrator. During those summers, she had her own gift shop, selling small paintings and giving art lessons.
Esther attended Dean College and worked as a dietician for Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA and for Colby College. While at Colby, she met and fell in love with Jack Faulkner from Houlton. The two were married on November 21, 1953 in Boston’s Old South Church. They soon returned to Houlton to start their new life together and raise a family. While Jack started working for the local newspaper, Esther resumed painting and giving private art lessons. The private lessons turned into a life-long career of teaching art to adults at Houlton’s Adult Education Program, to residents of Madigan Estates Nursing Home where she became an Activities Coordinator, and to friends and fellow seniors through the SAGE program and the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s outreach program. On canvas, Esther found inspiration in northern Maine’s rugged charm: the old barns, stately brick buildings, and the endless miles of woods and farmlands. Away from the easel, Esther enjoyed being part of Houlton’s community and tried to give back as much as she received. Most recently, she enjoyed engaging with fellow artists at SACAP and Visions Gallery, attending services of the Congregational Church, and spending time with so many of her friends and students. She especially enjoyed honing her mahjong skills each week with a great group of friends.
Esther is survived by her three sons, Robert of New Limerick, John of Brunswick, and Jim of Somerville, MA; and a grandson, Cole of Brunswick. She was predeceased by her husband, and her brother, William F. Orr.
Visiting hours will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dunn’s Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday, January 3, at 11 a.m. at the Wesleyan Church with Rev. Dale Holden officiating. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Esther’s memory may be made to the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project, c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, Maine, 04730. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com.
