Alberta Packard Estes, 83, of Harrison passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, leaving a void that her family will never fill.

She was born August 23, 1941, in Harrison, to Albert and Verna (Merrill) Packard. Alberta grew up in North Bridgton, where she enjoyed a healthy,
happy childhood with her parents, siblings and grandparents. She
attended the Bridgton schools, including a year at Bridgton Academy, and went on to finish up her education at Bridgton High School in 1959.

She was the devoted mother of Stephen and Joan, her pride and joy. She was the kind of mother who always had their backs and they felt her love and support always throughout their lives.

In 1964, Alberta married the love of her life, Sherwood R. Estes. During their marriage they resided in Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts returning to Harrison after Sherwood’s retirement in 2002. They had a deep and envious love for each other, and this enabled them to create a secure and comfortable home to raise their five children.

Alberta often joked about being a “Domestic Engineer” but the beautiful homes and gardens that she kept were a true reflection of her love for her family and she took great pride in them. She also enjoyed a few part-time positions outside the home over the years, most recently as a receptionist with Krainin Real Estate in Naples.

When Alberta wasn’t cleaning, decorating or gardening you could find her taking care of a child or two for a friend or relative. The family would tell you that she was their “Baby Whisperer” and she had a natural way of calming any baby and how those babies loved her! Her passion for children never left her and she even took in her own great-grandchildren for daycare right up through her late 70s.

Alberta had many friends throughout her life and she and her husband often enjoyed traveling, visiting, and hosting a good game of cards with various friends and family over the years. She welcomed company and you could always find a fresh pot of coffee if you were to stop by.

Alberta was predeceased by her parents, a brother, William Packard, a sister, Margaret Poskus and she is survived by a brother Arnold Packard (Gin); children, Stephen Denison, Joan Leland (Matt) her stepchildren, Charlene Allen, Randal Estes, and Darlene Bertoni, grandchildren: Scott Denison, Rebecca Messer (Dan), Adam Johnson (Jenn), Mackenzie Nile (Tom), Mickey Green (Melissa), Shawn Allen, Bethany Estes and Russell Estes, as well as their sixteen great-grandchildren and many nephews, nieces and friends who will never forget the love and joy she brought into their lives.

The family would like to give a special “thank you” to Woodlands Memory Care of Bridgton for the quality care Alberta received while she was a resident there.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held Friday, May 16 at 1 p.m., at Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., So. Paris with refreshments to follow. To share memories and online condolences with the family please go to www.chandlerfunerals.com