Estella W. McLean

Bangor- Estella W McLean 93 of Bangor ME, formerly of Farmington ME, passed away
September 20, 2025 at her home. Stella was born August 5, 1932 in New Gloucester Maine, the
daughter of Herbert Waterman and Thirza (McConkey) Waterman of New Gloucester. She had
six siblings: Older brothers Walter, Donald, Robert "Bob", Elbert "Nick", Willard "Bill" and
younger sister Cathryn.
Stella grew up on Hillsdale Farm in New Gloucester and graduated from New Gloucester High
School in 1950, Boston University Sargent College 1954, and The University of Maine 1968 with
a Master's Degree in Education. She moved to Farmington Maine in the Fall of 1954 and in 1955
was married to Warren "Bud" McLean. They had two children, Karen and Alan. For six years
Stella taught physical education and coached field hockey, basketball and softball at Farmington
High School. After her children were born she returned to teaching and coaching at The
University of Maine Farmington. She taught physical education and coached field hockey and
basketball there for the next 21 years until her retirement in 1985. After her retirement she
volunteered with the Mt. Blue High School and Farmington Middle School field hockey and
basketball programs. Stella truly loved coaching and being part of a team.
Stella was well known for her prowess on the basketball court in her youth, and as a pioneer in
the promotion and development of Intercollegiate competition for women in Maine. In 1990
she was honored by the Maine Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women as one of the
founding members of the organization and for her twenty-four years of service. Stella was also
inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame as a "Legend of the Game" in the inaugural
class.
When not teaching and coaching, Stella and husband Bud traveled and camped extensively.
Often joined by members of their family and many close friends, the McLeans visited all the
Canadian Provinces along with all of the US States bordering Canada and road tripped along the
entire Eastern Seaboard. Among Stella's favorite trips were their four cross country drives from
Maine to Alaska, as well as separate visits to Yellowstone National Park where sister Cathryn
and her family lived, and Banff National Park and Lake Louise in British Columbia.
Stell loved and enjoyed her family. She looked forward to large gatherings, holidays, and
organizing family reunions. She loved "Grammy sitting" for her three grandchildren, and as they
got older, she enjoyed cheering them on at all of their activities. Getting to celebrate her
grandchildren's accomplishments and being able to meet her great-grandson were highlights
for Stella.
Stella was predeceased by her six older brothers and her husband Warren H McLean who
passed in 2003 after 48 years of marriage. She is survived by daughter Karen Harris and
husband Alan Harris, her son Alan MacLean and wife Kimberly MacLean, her grandson Kyle
Harris and wife Samantha Harris, her granddaughter Audrey MacLean and husband Eric LeFlore,
her granddaughter Grace MacLean Slattery and husband Joseph Slattery, and her great
grandson Warren J. Slattery.
A Celebration of Stella's life will be held November 8, 2025, service at 1:00 pm at the First
Congregational Church of New Gloucester, ME with reception immediately following, then
gathering at the Upper Gloucester Cemetery. Charitable Donations may be made in Stella's
memory to the Michael J. Fox -The Parkinson's Foundation or to The New Gloucester Historical
Society PO Box 531 New Gloucester, Maine 04260.
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