Alma Harvey Newell May 16, 1941 – Jan 18, 2019 Gorham- Alma Newell, 77, beloved mother, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 18, 2019 in Portland. Alma was born in Augusta, Maine on May 16, 1941, the daughter of Theodore and Carolyn (Crosby) Harvey. She grew up in Auburn, and attended Auburn schools. While at Edward Little High School she played the oboe in the marching band, and graduated in 1959. After living in Westerville, Ohio for a year with her sister Carlene and husband Robert Estes Sr., she returned to Maine to marry Barry Newell in December 1964. Alma and Barry settled in Gorham in 1966 where she raised her daughter, Donna. Alma began her career at Gorham State Teachers College in the Head Start program, which was later renamed The Child and Family Institute. In 1988 she took a position with the Small Business Development Center on the University of Maine's Portland campus. Her career advanced to the position of Associate State Director where her responsibilities included grant writing and tracking the funding of grants and contracts. She was known to be meticulous in accounting for the expenditures and knowing where every dime was spent. She retired in 2008. Throughout her working years, Alma attended classes on a part time basis, originally majoring in fine arts. She was quite creative and particularly loved sketching with pencil and charcoal, painting with water colors as well as weaving. After many years and changing her major, she achieved her long-term goal, earning her Bachelor's degree in Business in 1986. Alma was a dedicated long-term member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Portland and Boston. At her local church she served on several committees and in many capacities, including serving as treasurer, reader, Sunday School teacher and most recently as a volunteer in the Reading Room. Alma enjoyed learning and after retirement, she took several classes at USM's Senior College. She also enjoyed travelling. She had many favorite memories of road trips with her sister, Carlene and husband Robert, and brother Gordon to Acadia, Bryce and Zion National Parks, Campobello Island, Washington DC, St. Louis, MO, and California and day trips to the mountains of NH to see the fall foliage and beautiful waterfalls. Beyond traveling, she enjoyed cribbage, reading, sewing and knitting. She knit many sweaters, scarfs, hats and mittens for family and friends over the years. She is predeceased by her husband Barry, her sister Carlene and brother Gordon. She is survived by her daughter Donna Buyze and husband Stephen of Portland; brothers-in-law Robert Estes Sr. and wife Lois of Kimberling City, MO, and Jeff Newell and wife Jo Ann of Durham, ME; nieces Carolyn Bumatay and husband Randy of Palos Verdes, CA, and Caryn Bach and husband Brian of Milford, CT; nephews Robert Estes Jr. and wife Shari of Sidney, ME, Richard Estes and wife Margueritta of Erie, PA, and Evan Newell and wife Krista of Syracuse, NY; and 14 grandnieces and nephews. At Alma's request, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Westbrook Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alma's memory can be made to: Camps Newfound and Owatonna 4 Camp Newfound Road Harrison, Maine 04040 OR Maine Veteran's Home Attention: Rita Dube 290 US Route 1 Scarborough, ME 04074