FLANDERS - JENNIE MATILDA "SIDELINKER" - Old Town

September 25, 2008 11:15 pm


OLD TOWN – Jennie Matilda (Sidelinker) Flanders, who was born June 12, 1926, in Veazie, went to join the angels of our Lord Jan. 9, 2005, at her home in Old Town as a result of cancer. Jennie was the 13th of 14 children born of Ada and Osgood Sidelinker: Osgood, Leslie, Wellington, Dorothy, Fern and Mary, who died in infancy; and Urban, Emmery, Ethel, Bertha and Nellie, who predeceased her; and her remaining dear brothers, Elliott now in Bradley with his wife, Hope; and Lyndon, now in Asheville, N.C. She graduated from Bangor High School. In March of 1948, she married Earl M. Flanders and they settled in Veazie to raise a family. Together they had three children. She loved playing games with her children, and always had time for a good game of Monopoly or Canasta. Once all her children were in school, Jennie went to work at Betts Book Store in Bangor. Additionally, she was active in the life of Veazie community, including the American Legion Auxiliary, and the John R. Graham school PTA. She was a member all her life at the Veazie Congregational Church. When her children were growing up she was active in the church youth group activities, she was a Brownie den mother and regularly participated in the various social events at the Veazie Town Hall, including roller skating, Friday night dances and public suppers. She sustained friendships that spanned more than 50 years and will be sadly missed by her longtime friend, Janet McKay. In 1966, Jennie went to work in the Circulation and Reserve Department at the University of Maine Library and worked there until her retirement in 1991. Over the years at the library, she became the “campus mom” for several students. In 1973, after a divorce, Jennie moved to Old Town and became active in the Bangor Singles Club, where she held several leadership offices over the years. She loved to dance and was never without a partner at the weekly dances. Soon after retirement from the University, she began volunteering at Northeast Combat, “working” there to stay active in the community. She also was active in her support of the Animal Orphanage in Old Town and the Crossroads Ministry. She enjoyed participating in the Arthritic swim program at the Old Town YMCA and made many new friends there, including her special friend, Junie Grant. In addition to her two brothers, Lyndon and Elliott and his wife, Hope and their children, Stephen and Ann Marie; she is survived by her children and their families: Lorelei Wing of Old Town, Maurice and Susan Flanders and sons, Brian and Scott of Asheville, N.C., Madonna Flanders of Bangor and daughter, Michelle Share of Hampden, and her special great-grandson, Devon Share of Hampden. She will be sadly missed by her loving cat, Tinker-Belle. Additionally, she is survived by numerous special nieces and nephews, including Ann Marie and Stephen Sidelinker and her special niece, Pat Saunders of DeBarry, Fla.; her great-niece, Terry Remairez of Susanville, Calif.; and her “daughter in heart” Laura-jean Eckard of Dover Foxcroft. She will be especially missed by dear friends, Roxanna Adams and Auralie Matthews with whom she shared many special times, including annual winter treks to Carrabassett. The family invites you to join in saying farewell to from 6-8 p.m. Friday Jan. 14, 2005, at Brookings-Smith, Old Town Chapel, 205 Main Street, Old Town. A service celebrating the life of Jennie S. Flanders will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Veazie Congregational Church, 1404 State St., Veazie with the Rev. Patricia Moore, pastor, officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. Memorial donations in Jennie’s memory may be made to Northeast Combat, 109 State St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Old Town Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 565, Orono, ME 04473.