Obituary

Leanne S. Eaton

Mon, 05/08/2023 - 11:00am

Leanne Shibles Eaton passed away on April 30, 2023 at the Sussman Hospice House in Rockport; it was her 95th birthday.

She was born in Westbrook on April 30, 1928 to Dr. Granville and Martha Shibles. She grew up in Westbrook and graduated from Westbrook High school in 1946 and then graduated from Colby College in 1950. She met her husband, Robert (Bob) Eaton, while vacationing with a friend on Southport Island in the summer of 1944. They were married September of 1950. She welcomed their first son, Robert, in May of 1952 while Bob was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone during the Korean War. For the two years following his service, they traveled the Midwest while Bob worked for a gas pipe line company. They eventually settled down in Westbrook and welcomed their second son, Richard, in October of 1955.

After her boys were in school, she started her career as a sixth-grade teacher in the Westbrook school system. She had the privilege of teaching at Canal, Forest and Congin schools. “She was my favorite teacher” is the quote her family most often heard when former students reflected on their time with her.

Following her retirement in 1986, she and Bob moved to their summer home in Southport permanently. Leanne’s retirement was full of many activities including traveling, spending time as a lady Shriner, working in her flower gardens, boating around Southport, catching mackerel with Bob, and volunteering at the Southport Historical Society. She had a wonderful and fulfilling life spent with family and many dear friends that she loved.

She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Elizabeth Heath Ingles. She is survived by her husband of 72 years Robert Eaton, son Robert G. Eaton and wife Martha of Scarborough, son Richard W. Eaton of Westbrook, granddaughter Michelle Sturgis of Gorham, grandson Douglas Eaton and wife Julie of Gorham, great-granddaughters Julia Sturgis of Gorham, and Laura and Heather Eaton of Gorham. A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Westbrook on May 30 at 10 a.m. A celebration of life will be held in July in Southport.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle or share a picture or story, please visit Leanne’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com