Gary Steven Webber. Patience M. (Blythe) Creech. Richard Henry “Dick” Laning II. Marcia G. Opdyke. Lola (Dyer) Abbott. Jeremiah Wooster Jellison Jr. Delwin Ray Faulkingham.
Nov 23, 2025
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks.
We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or at a cost of $500 for people mourning. We’re free.
If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know, and we’ll share it here for you.
Gary Steven Webber
Trenton
Gary Steven Webber passed away peacefully at a loving nursing home in Howland, Maine, on Nov. 9, 2025, at the age of 72. His passing was the result of complications from ALS. Gary was born on Jan. 25, 1953, in Portland, Maine, to parents Kenneth and Katherine ‘Kay’ (Harmon) Webber.
Gary graduated from South Portland High School in 1971. He went on to attend the University of Southern Maine, graduating in 1976 with a degree in Secondary Education. He spent much of his young adulthood teaching Industrial Arts at several Maine High Schools. After leaving education, Gary began his career at Champion Paper Mill (later International Paper) in Bucksport, Maine. Gary held many positions within the mill, his favorite being a project engineer. In later years, he went on to various other jobs that were closer to home.
In his younger years, Gary enjoyed being involved in his community. He was a proud member of the Masonic Hall, served on the Board of Trustees at the Ellsworth Congregational Church, and held a seat on the Trenton School Board. Gary’s fondest memories include time spent at his wife’s family camp near Grand Lake Stream, spending summers there fishing and enjoying taking his children to the islands of Big Lake. Later in life Gary found interest in real estate, genealogy, gardening, and expanding his vast medical knowledge. Most of all, he loved being a “Bumpa” to his four grandchildren.
Gary was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Judith Webber; daughter Kristen Pelchat and husband Ronaldo of Allenstown, N.H.; daughter Brianna Thurston and husband Adam of Southwest Harbor; grandchildren William and Olivia Pelchat and Cameron and Bennett Thurston; sister-in-law Patricia Ulman and husband Oscar of Millinocket; nieces Pamela Farquhar and husband Paul of Millinocket and Janelle Vann and husband Scott of Natick, Mass. Also, a great niece and nephews. Gary leaves behind his devoted dog, Grace.
The family wishes to extend gratitude to Bristol Hospice and Cummings Health Care. These teams provided paramount care and support to Gary and his family during his final weeks. Our appreciation for these teams is endless.
In honoring Gary’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. This spring, his family will hold a private celebration of life while scattering his remains in the place he held nearest to his heart.
Those who desire may make donations to the ALS Association.
Patience M. (Blythe) Creech
Mount Desert Island region
Dec. 24, 1980-Oct. 23, 2025
Patience M. (Blythe) Creech, artist, teacher, Renaissance woman, was born on Christmas Eve 1980 in Haslemere, Surrey, England, to Tricia and Michael Blythe. The family moved to the Houston area of Texas in January of 1982. Patience packed more in her brief 44+ years than many of us will manage in nearly twice that time. She was born with projects in mind, people to talk to, things to do, places to go. Friendships were for life for Patience. She was the epitome of a communicator. For 16+/- years she taught science, art, computer science to middle school, high school in Texas, in Philadelphia and Maine. She tutored during a year in Mexico. She opened a workshop to teach metalworking/jewelry at the old Tool Barn in Hulls Cove. She continued to meet so many wonderful new friends, all precious to her. When their son, River, was heading to university, Cody and Patience packed up and moved to Maine, to join family and friends, and so began another adventure.
Patience is survived by her dearly loved husband, Cody, who matches her in the joy of projects especially gardening, their son River (Maddy), her mother Tricia (Patience’s father predeceased her), brothers Carew (Cammy), Paddy (Sarah) and Mark (Jo); aunts and uncles: Tony (Charlotte) of France, Susan (David), Margaret, Helen, Philip, Barbara all of United Kingdom as well as cousins: Jacquie, Stewart, Kate, Jan, Sally, Kate, Mike, Bruce and nieces and nephews. So many friends, each one special and each a blessing to her. You know who you are.
Heartfelt thanks to those who made the trip to see Patience from all over the USA: Lyndsy, Vonda, Jenna, Maura, Nicole A, Bob W., Sharlene, Martha, Tiffany, Ryan, Darryl, Meg, Jen & JRA, Linda, Nicole, Katie D, Anna, Lys, Shari & Derry, Barbara & Andy, Erica, Aaron, Minta & Onora, Brad, Mike R, Bree, Bruce & Jen, Lacy R, and, of course, Oscar-the-dog, who visited and caused much excitement on Ellison Ward, MGH. And to all those friends and family, near and far, who reached out to her and kept her joyful in the last months. Thank all of you for your love for her and your love for her family.
We thank everyone at MDI Hospital for their care. And we especially thank the doctors and staff of MGH, Ellison Ward Oncology, ICU and Hospice. You are the heroes and earned our love and respect over and over again.
Patience: “Life is so precious, and time passes by so fast. Try to stay present … .” As she would say, she was made of stardust, and now rejoins the stuff of mountains, stars and sky, land and sea.
A celebration of Patience’s life will be held at a later date, when family and friends can gather to share stories and laughter and honor the remarkable woman she was.
Should you be so inclined, please consider a donation in Patience’s honor to: Bastrop County Animal Services (share.google/856lkxw8T7tP0g9WO), Artsworth (artsworth.org/donate/), Mount Desert Island Hospital (mdihospital.org/giving/ways-to-give/), Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County (hospiceofhancock.org/donate/), Angel Flights (angelflightne.org/give-free-medical-transport/), Mass General Hospital: Ellison Wards, Oncology, ICU and Hospice (giving.massgeneral.org), Donors Choose a way to give to school teachers (donorschoose.org/donors/map.html).
Richard Henry “Dick” Laning II
Bar Harbor and Richmond, VA.
Richard “Dick” Henry Laning II, 72, passed away unexpectedly on November 16, 2025 in Bar Harbor Maine. He was born July 20,1953 in Oceanside CA.
He graduated from Norfolk Catholic HS in Norfolk VA in 1972 and from ODU in 1976 with a BS in Secondary Education. Before his teaching career in Richmond VA, he taught GED preparation classes on the JFK carrier during its tour of duty in the Mediterranean. He worked in Richmond VA area schools for 20 years as a biology teacher and instilled his love of plants and animals to his students. Recognition for his teaching approaches include being appointed by the Smithsonian Institution to teach science classes in a teacher exchange program in South Africa.
Richard was creative and artistic in his free time which included making pottery, wood carvings and detailed figurines.
After his retirement he delighted many children, adults and pets as Santa at the Great Big Greenhouse in Richmond VA for 14 years. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his son Richard “Trey” and wife Lynn and grandchildren Mia, Drew and Allie, daughter Katy, and first wife Jane.
He is also survived by his mother Lyla “Lynn” S Laning, sisters Kappy and nephew Stuart, and Meg, partner Smitty, nephew Bryan and wife Lori and children, Eyn, Chase and Livi.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Edward “Ned” A Laning, and his second wife Stephanie.
Richard’s primary home was in Richmond VA and he spent spring and fall months at his second home in Bar Harbor ME along with his dog Tschasta. He always said Maine was the place of his heart where he spent many years, first with Outward Bound while in high school, and then with Stephanie before and after her death.
Celebration of his life will be private. His ashes will be spread in Acadia National Park in Maine according to his wishes. Contributions in Richard’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.
Marcia G. Opdyke
Ellsworth and MDI region
Marcia G. Opdyke, 92, died November 14, 2025 at the Bangor Veterans Home. She was born on March 3, 1933 in Sanawar, India the daughter of John and Doris (Sadler) Whalley.
Marcia worked as a Librarian in the Dow and Anderson Airforce Base Libraries. She was married to Kenneth Opdyke, a U.S service member stationed in England where they married in 1954. She had their son, Douglas, in England, went back to the states and had daughter Pamela then back to England and had daughter Suzanne.
Marcia was an avid reader and enjoyed puzzles, Bingo and computer games. She also enjoyed needlepoint. Marcia was a very social person and loved being with family. She was proud of being born and raised in India and of her British heritage. Marcia had many wonderful stories of being one of nine children.
She is survived by two daughters; Pamela Hesseltine and husband Kern of Brewer, Suzanne Burns and husband JF of Mount Desert; daughter in law, Cindy Opdyke of Jacksonville, FL; eight grandchildren, Daniel, Benjamin and Sarah Briggs, Anna Pirila, Michael McKracherne, Bethany Klein, Aaron Opdyke and Heather Holliday; and several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth and beloved son Douglas Opdyke.
At Marcia’s request there will be no services. Private committal will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor.
Those who desire may make contributions in Marcia’s memory to your local public library.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Lola (Dyer) Abbott
Bar Harbor and Middletown, CT.
Lola Priscilla (Dyer) Abbott, 97, of Portland, Conn., and formerly of Bar Harbor, Maine, beloved wife of Kenneth R. Abbott, passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2025, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Conn.
Born in Franklin, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Dana O. and H. Marion (Bragdon) Dyer. Lola attended schools in Franklin and then in Bar Harbor after the Dyer family moved in 1936. She graduated from Eastern and Southern Maine Vocational Technical School to become a certified food service supervisor. Lola owned and operated her own restaurant, Ken’s Kitchen, in Bar Harbor for many years. She really enjoyed cooking and sharing recipes. In her later years, she worked for over 20 years at Sherman’s Book Store in Bar Harbor.
Lola was an active member and past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Harmony Chapter #49. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, oil painting and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. She enjoyed her breakfast group every Sunday and teatime with her neighbor Eileen. Lola loved her dog, Ollie, and was so happy when Mikey and Victor provided a home and lots of love for him when Lola moved to Connecticut.
She is survived by her three sons, Vincent S. Abbott and his wife Martha of Bar Harbor, Maine, Kenneth R. Abbott Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Alvah D. Abbott and his wife Heidi of Portland, Conn.; five grandchildren, Vincent A. Abbott, Brodie Abbott, Michaela Rothenberger, Sara Donnell, and Joshua L. Abbott; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Dana O. Dyer Jr. and George R. Dyer Sr., and five sisters, Maxine Cunningham, Julia Davis, Cleo A. Dyer, Freda White and Wava Ruckel.
A private graveside service will be held at Bayview Cemetery in Franklin, Maine, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lola’s memory can be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospital, c/o Office of Philanthropy, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.
Jeremiah Wooster Jellison Jr.
Bar Harbor and Melbourne, Florida
Jeremiah Wooster Jellison Jr. of Bar Harbor and Melbourne, Fla., passed away peacefully on Nov. 16, 2025, at 70 in Melbourne, Fla., with his son, Zachery, by his side.
Jere was born in Bar Harbor on June 12, 1955, to Jeremiah Wooster Jellison Sr. and Constance Hanscom Jellison. Jere grew up in Salisbury Cove and graduated in 1973 from MDIHS, where he participated in co-op and worked at the family store, Jellison’s 5 and 10, that his great grandfather established in 1931. Jere later went on to own and manage the Central House Inn and Restaurant on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor. Jere moved to Florida in the early ’90s and managed the state park concessions at Sebastion Inlet. His son Zach and friends spent happy times on the river with Jere taking them fishing and camping on the islands. Jere’s next venture was a floating boat café named Jeremiah’s Bullfrog Café in Melbourne. The name came from a Three Dog Night song’s “Joy to the World” opening line, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog.” Jere got a lot of ribbing and jokes from friends when that song came out. He will be missed for his sense of humor by all.
Jere is survived by his son, Zachary, of Melbourne Fla., his brother, Johnny, of Salisbury Cove, sister Dawn Taylor-John of Steuben and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Dorothy Ann Blomquist and Debra Loretta Jellison.
A private family service will be held at a later date with Jere’s final wishes to have his remains spread in the Sebastian River from his beloved “Bullfrog” boat.
Delwin Ray Faulkingham
Trenton
Delwin Ray Faulkingham of Trenton, Maine, passed away on Nov. 9, 2025, after a period of failing health. He was born Dec. 15, 1969, in Lawton (Fort Sill), Okla., the son of David C. Faulkingham Sr. and Mary L. (Tracey) Belanger, while his father was deployed in Vietnam. He grew up in Southwest Harbor and graduated from Mount Desert Island High School (as he would say, right before they were going to kick him out for good).
Delwin spent most of his life on the water, lobster and scallop fishing for himself and others. Occasionally, when on shore, he would work cooking crabs or doing masonry. He loved working with his hands and recently built a stone fireplace in his home and became a successful gardener, despite — or more likely in spite of — his doctor’s orders to take it easy.
Delwin was known for having more lives than a cat — surviving several serious car and ATV accidents, bouts of fisticuffs, a couple of dunkings in freezing ocean water, and a serious heart attack several years ago. He was equally adored and abhorred, often by the same people, depending on the day and the situation. He was scrappy and easily frustrated and prone to anger, but also kind and loving, and he cared deeply for his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sons, Patrick Faulkingham of Osborn and Gavyn Lyons of Southwest Harbor, his brothers, David C. Faulkingham Jr. of Bass Harbor and Erick Belanger of Sullivan, and his sister, Lorrie Farrell-Murphy of Bass Harbor, seven grandchildren and many extended family members. He is also survived by his partner, Naomi Irvine. He was predeceased by his daughter, Brittany Carter, in 2022, and his stepmother Patricia Faulkingham.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
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