WINDHAM-- Frances Elizabeth Johnson Mains, age 87, passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 after a long battle with Congestive Heart Failure at Ledgewood Manor in Windham where she received the most loving care from so many who also grew to love her. She was a light in the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was born in Portland on October 10, 1931, daughter of Frances E. and Beulah A. Eldridge Johnson, and grew up in Westbrook, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1949. During high school, her first real job was at Walker Memorial Library, where she solidified her love of books. Her senior year at Westbrook High School she was the recipient of the DAR good citizenship award. She later studied at Gorham State Teachers College (now USM) and was fond of saying that she could have happily been a professional student. After graduation, she was employed by SD Warren for fourteen years and resided in Westbrook, ME. She married Clifford W Mains Sr on March 16, 1963 and in 1964 they bought a home on Robie Street in Gorham where together they raised their family. However, she always remembered her hometown ties to Westbrook, participating in activities there such as the Westbrook Historical Society, where she was a member. As the children became adults, she worked briefly at part time jobs, including 9 years with the ladies fashion department at Sears. Frances was an award winning pianist, an incredibly gifted writer and she loved art, whether it was to enjoy it, or create it. She had a great love of of words, and spent many hours putting them together in prose and poetry for her own pleasure. She was a member of the North Gorham Writers Group, studied watercolor with Rosalie Barden and attended classed at the Maine College of Art where she studied watercolor, oil and drawing. Off and on over decades she wrote a social column for the American Journal. In the 70s the column was known as the "Gorham Gab Line" which is now simply known as the Gorham Notes. She had a great interest in faith related work, and enjoyed exploring the field from many angles. She was a member of the First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham for decades where she was a delegate and a deacon. In the 90s, she traveled to Honduras as part of a group of delegates from the Maine UCC, as part of a diplomatic exchange. In 2002 she sold the family home in Gorham she lovingly created, and settled in Raymond, where she was happy to find the Raymond Village Community Church. They welcomed her with open arms and loved her like she was their own family. Here, she took part in many conferences, special events and programs surrounded by people who fed her soul, and eventually, well into her 80s, volunteered in the church office every Thursday. She was always grateful for being born in this state, and in her late years psnt many hours exploring all it's many seacoast inlets, mountains and little country towns, sometimes camping along the way in her minivan, a favorite pastime from her youth. She always felt that she made no big waves, fame and fortune were not her lot. However, she believed that every life touched every other life in some way before it ended, assuring her that the ripples she made were of value in undisclosed, but meaningful ways. Therefore, she felt her life to be complete. Her greatest joy of all was her relationship with her family and the many friends who touched her life. She loved her large round oak table, where all were welcome and which served as a hpapy hub during her married life. Her husband, Clifford W. Mains Sr., died in 1993 Frances will be sorely missed by her family Clifford W. Mains Jr of Mount Dora, FL, Susan C. Mains of South Portland, Diana L. Mains of Cornish and Joseph P Mains of Windham as well as her grandchildren Chris Mains, Alicia Mains, Barry Mains, Papillion (Papi) Mains, Shawn Mains, Tyler Patterson, Victoria (Tori) Cook, Taylor Mains and Trevor Mains; and by great-grandchildren Amanda, Ashley, Kayla, Josh, Jamieson, Gavin, Bentley, Roseanna, and Chase. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 9 from 2pm to 4pm at the Windham Chapel of Dolby Blais and Segee, 434 River Road, Windham. A Celebration of her Life will be planned for next spring at Fort Williams. In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations may be sent to the Raymond Village Community Church, 27 Main Street, Raymond, ME 04071. To express condolences, or participate in Frances' online tribute, please visit www.DolbyBlaisSegee.com.