Elaine (Ebeling) Fuller Whitcomb died January 28 from a head injury as the result of a fall. 

Elaine was born December 6, 1927 in White Plains, N.Y., the daughter of Henry Ebeling and Wanda Muntz Ebeling, immigrants from Germany and Poland. 

She graduated from A.B Davis High School, Mount Vernon, N.Y.; as a graduate nurse at Syracuse University in 1948, the University of Maine with her B.S. in nursing in 1974 and received her master’s degree in public health administration in 1978. Elaine married Charles Fuller Jr. of Hallowell in 1949. They raised three children in Manchester. In 1998 she married Roy Whitcomb Jr.

Elaine worked at the Togus Veterans Administration Hospital and later returned to work as a public health nurse for five years. She enjoyed a challenging career in licensing and certification as Medicare and Medicaid were implemented. She worked in elderly services as long term care was being developed in home settings, starting the Home-Based Care Program. From there she became director of the Medicaid program for five years. Upon her retirement, she worked for two years for the National Academy for State Health Policy. 

In 1994 she ran successfully for a House seat in the State Legislature and served for three terms where she served on the Health and Human Services Committee.  As she wound up her Legislative career, she entered public service as a selectman in Manchester, eventually serving as its chairperson.

Elaine served on many work groups and task liaisons during her career and continued for many years after her retirement until her recent tenure as president of the Kennebec Behavioral Health board. She was honored by that agency in 2012 and believed strongly in their work. She served on the boards of a variety of local non-profit agencies serving all age ranges and needs.

Living on Cobboseecontee Lake for more than 50 years, Elaine enjoyed swimming, water skiing and boating. She was a season ticket holder at Sugarloaf for many years and she and Charles valued their time at the family camp. She loved dancing, and visiting with and entertaining family and friends. She had a reputation for giving a party not to be missed. Elaine highly valued her good friends including the Church Ladies and the Ladies of the Lake as well as the many friends who made her life so full. 

Elaine is survived by her three children, Cynthia Spence of Lewiston, Lynn Irish of Manchester, and Charles Fuller III and his wife Jeanne of Boothbay. She had six grandchildren who gave her great pleasure and pride: Julia Irish of Montreal, Canada, Amy Irish of Portland, Nicholas Irish of Boothbay Harbor, Sam Fuller and his wife Amy of Blue Hill, Mary Fuller of Boothbay, and Sarah Spence of Locke, N.Y. 

Elaine was predeceased by her first husband, Charles in 1990, her second husband Roy in 2009 as well as two brothers, Fred and Henry Ebeling. 

Elaine’s friends and associates are invited to a visitation at her home on the Pond Road in Manchester on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services for those who wish to attend will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Union Street, Hallowell. All who want to celebrate her life are invited to join her family at The Wharf in Hallowell from 3-7 p.m. on Friday afternoon, Feb. 1. She would love to be able to celebrate just one more time with all of her friends, associates, fellow musicians and family. 

Memorial donations are welcome for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 20 Union St., Hallowell, ME 04347 or the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330.