Elizabeth Speer “Betsy” Drake (Flynn). Therese J. “Terry” Baker. Joseph M. “Joe” Murphy. Karen E. Coombs. Deb Crooks. Elaine C. Cousins. Eloise G. McDonald. Stanley G. Boynton.
Dec 21, 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.
Elizabeth Speer “Betsy” Drake (Flynn)
Bar Harbor
Elizabeth (Betsy) Speer (Flynn) Drake, 86, wife of John E. (Jack) Drake died at home in their cottage at Birch Bay Village on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, surrounded by her husband and loving family.
She was born on September 1, 1939 in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Margaret Riner Zimmerman and Thomas Edwin Flynn. She moved to Mount Desert Island with her family in the 1950’s when her father purchased land on the Northern Neck of Long Pond and began to develop that area. She attended Bar Harbor schools and earned her degree in Sociology from the University of Maine in Orono.
In 1965, Betsy began her primary career by becoming a laboratory technician in the laboratory of Dr. Katrina Hummel at The Jackson Laboratory. Her work at JAX spanned over forty years; and included developments in embryo freezing, a technique she was invited to teach in India. By the time of her retirement, she had also worked in the laboratories of Dr. Donald Bailey and Dr. Larry Mobraaten.
She was a faithful member of St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church; and devoted a great deal of her time to the YWCA of Mount Desert Island, serving on the Board of Directors of that organization for a number of years.
Betsy is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, John E. (Jack) Drake; her son, John Roger Drake and his wife, Tammy, of Topsham; her daughter, Elizabeth (Lissa) Sweet Thompson and husband, Randy, of Houlton and Port Charlotte, FL; her daughter, Maureen Drake Largay and her husband Charles, of Old Orchard Beach; and her daughter, Susan Drake Davis and her husband Michael, of Auburn and Bass Harbor. She is further survived by six grandchildren and six great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Tim and Cory Burch and Aiden Gilley have also long been considered members of the family. She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Sarah B. Flynn.
Betsy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. With a warm smile, she shared her love generously with her family, her friends, her neighbors, her co-workers and complete strangers she met along the way. She firmly believed in the saying, “Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay; Love isn’t Love till you give it away.”
An avid driver, Betsy was at her happiest when she was behind the wheel. Her red Buick with the BETSY license plates could be seen zipping all over Hancock County. She drove almost daily to Ellsworth, and she drove each winter to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where she and Jack spent their winters. It was not unusual for her to drive folks for medical appointments in Bangor, Portland and Boston. For Betsy, joy was being “on the road again.”
An amazing cook, Betsy was known for fancy holiday meals as well as picnics and lobster feeds; but more than anything else, she was known for the hundreds and hundreds of Christmas cookies she produced each December. Cookie tins were spread all over the place as she baked trays of more than two dozen different kinds. These were then packaged as gifts for family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday December 30, at 10:00AM at St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Canon Cricket Cooper officiating. A Reception will follow in the church hall. Her cremains will be interred in the St. Saviour’s Memorial Garden in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, 41 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor 04609 or the YWCA MDI, 36 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Therese J. “Terry” Baker
Bar Harbor
Therese J. “Terry” Baker, 77, of Bar Harbor, passed away on December 13, 2025, at Ellsworth Hospital after a life devoted to love, service, and faith. She was born on January 3, 1948, in Central Falls, Rhode Island, the daughter of Valmore R. and Loretta O. (Paulhus) Depot.
Terry attended school in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she met Ronald Baker. They married and later moved to Maine, where they owned and operated an inn. In the years that followed, Terry lovingly operated a daycare in her community. She took great pride and joy in watching, nurturing, and guiding countless children. To many families, she was a trusted presence, a second mother, and a steady source of kindness. Terry ran Terry’s Daycare for 35 years.
Terry’s faith was the foundation of her life. She lived her beliefs through her actions, offering patience, compassion, and unconditional care to every child who came through her doors. Her daycare was filled not only with laughter and learning, but also with the values she held dear: love, respect, and faith in God.
She is survived by her son, Matthew Baker, and his wife, Dana, and her two granddaughters, Eva and Lila Baker, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; stepdaughters Elaine Perry and her husband, Allen, of Plainville, Massachusetts, and Suzanne Fiske of Norton, Massachusetts; stepson Ronald Baker of Norton, Massachusetts; and her sister, Jeanine Taylor, and her husband, Jack, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and by Lisa Hallet, who was like a daughter to her.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald Baker, of Bar Harbor; her brothers, Lucien Depot and his wife, Mary, and Raymond Depot and his wife, Delores, all of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and her sister, Loraine Neff, and her husband, Don, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Though she will be deeply missed, her family takes comfort in knowing that Terry has been welcomed into God’s eternal care. Her life was a blessing, and her memory will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
A memorial service will be held in the spring. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Joseph M. “Joe” Murphy
Southwest Harbor, Maine
Joseph M. Murphy, 83, of Southwest Harbor, ME, passed away, December 10, 2025 after a brief illness. Joseph was the son of the late J. Joseph and Helen (Frankiewicz) Murphy, and was born in New London, CT on September 28, 1942.
He attended the New London Public Schools and graduated from The Ohio State University, where he received a degree in English Literature in 1965.
Joseph spent his entire career in the financial services industry holding executive positions at financial institutions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Maine. In 2013, he retired as President & CEO of Bar Harbor Bankshares in Bar Harbor, ME. Throughout his career, he contributed many hours as a volunteer board member or being in service to community organizations. He served most recently on the Boards of Friends of Acadia and Maine Seacoast Mission.
He is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 64 years, Maria Nicholoson Murphy and children; Matthew D. Murphy of Chicago and Julia E. Murphy of West Hartford, CT. He is predeceased by his son Peter N. Murphy of London, UK. He leaves behind four grandchildren: George M. Klein of New York City, Emma Grace Murphy of Beverly Hills, CA, and Nicholas & Sorcha Murphy of Dalkey, Ireland.
Visitation will be held on January 5, 2026, 4:00-6:00 PM, at Jordan- Fernald Funeral Homes, 1139 Main Street, Mount Desert, ME 04660.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Karen E. Coombs
Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor
Karen E. Coombs, 82, died peacefully December 2, 2025, at a Bar Harbor retirement facility. She was born December 1, 1943, in Winchester, MA, the daughter of Wendell L. and Leta E. (Joy)Esterberg.
Karen graduated from Ellsworth High School, class of 1961 and settled in Northeast Harbor in the winters and Trenton in the summers (lovingly known as Bayside). Karen was married to the love of her life Ernest S. Coombs for 52 years and retired from the Jackson Laboratory.
Karen is survived by her sister Gail Royal of Southwest Harbor; children Michael (Lynette) Gordon of Cape Elizabeth, Tracy Gordon (Hank Vachon) of Hudson, NH, Bill (Minh) Gordon of Gray, Steven E. Coombs (Randi Closson) of Trenton, Cindy (Ed) Luiz of Jewett City, CT, Robert (Donna) Coombs of Griswold, CT, Sandra (Fish) Fish of Lisbon, CT, David (Kim) Coombs of Kingsport, TN, Lynn(Ray) Flegert of Lebanon, CT; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and extended family. She was pre-deceased by her husband Ernest S. Coombs and sister Joy Esterberg.
A memorial Service will be held 1:00pm, Sat. January 10, 2026, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert.
Reception to follow at 2:30pm at Side Street Cafe, 49 Rodick St., Bar Harbor.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Deb Crooks
Trenton
Deb Crooks, 76, of Trenton, Maine, died peacefully on Dec. 10, 2025, with her son by her side. Born in Zion, Ill., she received her Anthropology B.A. from The Ohio State University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her biocultural anthropology expertise took her to rural communities in Belize, the Philippines, Zambia, and Eastern Kentucky to carry out field research on human growth and nutrition in the context of poverty. In her work on Eastern Kentucky, Deb integrated an incisive analysis of the politics of poverty, the value of local Appalachian cultures and communities, and nutritional anthropology; this was cutting-edge research that influenced Kentucky’s food and educational policies. Throughout her life and profession, she maintained a passionate cross-cultural research and advocacy focus on the nutrition and well-being of children and their families.
In 2017 Deb received the Franz Boas Distinguished Achievement Award from the Human Biology Association (HBA), an award that recognizes “exemplary contributions to human biology in science, scholarship, and other professional service,” which included her term as HBA president (2012-2014). Deb was a much-loved teacher and colleague in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Kentucky, first as an NSF funded postdoctoral scholar in Nutritional Anthropology (1993-1995), then as assistant professor (1996-2002) and associate professor from 2002 until her retirement in 2014.
During her time at UK, Deb served in multiple leadership roles, leaving her powerful imprint on the Gender and Women’s Studies program, where as director she helped guide the program through its transformation into a department; the Health, Society and Populations program; and the Department of Anthropology, serving as interim chair. She was affectionately known as the “Curriculum Czar” for her focused and very persuasive ways of convincing faculty to teach particular courses.
She moved to Trenton in 2017 to be close to her family, son Tom, daughter-in-law Cassie, and grandson Zach. She loved walking the carriage roads, raving about the color choices in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, training her dog in the NEH harbor, and volunteering at the Bar Harbor Food Pantry and the Northeast Harbor Library. For years she ran the book sale at the NEH library and was eventually convinced to work the circulation desk. A lifelong reader and learner, she loved organizing the book sale room and selling as many books as she could to unsuspecting customers.
The family asks if you are able to, please donate in her memory to the causes she loved, the Northeast Harbor Library or the Bar Harbor Food Pantry.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no service.
Elaine C. Cousins
Ellsworth and Bar Harbor
Elaine C. Cousins, 81, died Dec. 12, 2025 in Leesburg, Florida. She was born January 15, 1944 in Bar Harbor, the daughter of Louis V. and Marjorie L. (Walls) Cough.
She graduated from Bar Harbor High School Class of 1961. Elaine attended Washington State Teachers College and later Husson College in Bangor.
Elaine worked in the Ellsworth School Dept. lunch program, becoming the Supervisor of Food Services until her retirement in 2003 after working for 26 years.
Elaine met and married her husband Terry in 1965. After their retirement they enjoyed spending the winter in Florida. She enjoyed painting with oils and acrylics, shuffleboard, swimming and line dancing. Elaine was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellsworth.
Elaine is survived by her husband of 60 years Terrence “Terry” C. Cousins; 2 daughters Cheryl Martin and husband Marc and Lisa Kawenski and husband Ted; a son Terrence Cousins, Jr. and wife Sandra; 7 brothers, Gregory Cough and wife Carla, Timothy Cough and wife Brenda, Dennis Cough, David Cough and wife Linnie, Lawrence Cough and wife Deborah, Matthew Cough and Kevin Cough and partner Jim; 3 sisters, Mary Trella, Ann McCafferty and husband Dale, and Barbara Cough and wife Marilyn Thomas; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; 2 brothers Michael and Peter Cough.
Services will be held in the spring.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Eloise G. McDonald
Trenton
Eloise G. McDonald, 82, died Nov. 24, 2025, peacefully in her sleep. She was born on March 19, 1943, in Rockland, the daughter of George W. and Lena A. (Lunt) Tainter.
She was a mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Eloise enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She treasured each of her children and grandchildren.
She will live on in the memory of the people she left behind: daughter Faith Lawford; two granddaughters Dallas L. Smith and husband TJ, Jessica Ward and family; grandson Jeffery R. Lawford and family; sister Marlene Reed and husband Karl. She was predeceased by her parents, daughter Hope D. Cummings, husbands Harold Cummings and Gary McDonald; brothers Alton and George “JR” Tainter.
Private graveside services will be held.
Condolences may be expressed at www.acadiacremation.com.
Stanley G. Boynton
Bar Harbor
Stanley G. Boynton, 88, of Bar Harbor, died on Oct 24, 2025. Stan was born in Cutler, Maine on April 6, 1937 to George P. Boynton and Agnes C. Boynton. He is predeceased by three older siblings: Mildred Laurine, Helen Albee, and Leonard Boynton. He is survived by his younger brother, William Boynton; his wife Jane (Paranya) Boynton and their two sons, Curtis and Jeffrey Boynton; daughter-in-law, Samantha Lane; five grandchildren: Niko, Isaac, Oliver, Cole, and Alex; and several nieces and nephews.
Stan graduated Lubec HS in 1955, U Maine in 1959, and earned a master’s from Colby College. Over a long career as a teacher of science, he taught at Lubec HS, George Stevens Academy, Lexington HS, and MDIHS. His practical demonstrations of the principles of chemistry and physics impressed many students, especially those who may have been injured by them!
In addition to teaching, he was passionate about coaching basketball and was proud to have earned state championships at Lexington HS with his teams in ’71 and ’72.
Stan met his wife Jane while they were both teaching at Lexington HS, in Massachusetts. Happy to have found a woman who also enjoyed the outdoors and would laugh at his jokes, he pursued her and they were married in ’71. The arrival of two boys followed, and in 1980 they moved to Bar Harbor, Maine, where they settled for good and pursued a life focused on work, and outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
He had a secondary career with the National Park Service, working 12 seasons at Blackwoods Campground, and kept active well past formal retirement by driving buses for Island Explorer, and National Park Tours. He not only drove the buses, but drove the occupants a little crazy with tour narratives featuring his signature pun laced humor. As a volunteer, he and Jane began what became an adventurous and nomadic phase with several seasons at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, where they made many friends, including several people, a lot of ducks, and even more sandhill cranes.
Stan will be remembered for his dedication, humor, and commitment to serving his students, athletes, family, and neighbors.
Condolences may be expressed at www.acadiacremation.com.
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