NORWAY — Members of the Stephens Memorial Hospital said the recent passing of Elaine Montpelier — a longtime active member of the Norway-Paris community — and her husband, Peter, earlier this summer, is a deep loss for the hospital family.

Elaine Richard Montpelier, 74, died on Thursday, Sept. 4, in Fort Myers, Fla., after a long career in the Oxford Hills area both in the hospital as a business owner in Norway and in community activities, including co-chairing the annual Norway Christmas parade.

Her husband, Peter, an active member of the Stephens Memorial Hospital board of trustees for many years and former president of Norway Savings Bank, passed away in Fort Myers on July 2.

“The Stephens Memorial Hospital family is deeply saddened by the passing of both Elaine and Peter,” said Barbara A. Allen, vice president of development and community relations, on Wednesday. “Elaine and Peter played important roles in the growth of the hospital.”

Allen said Elaine was an employee in the hospital’s Imaging Department for more than a decade and later served as an Auxiliary member, participating in many fundraising activities in support of the hospital.

Her husband, Peter, was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1972 and served more than 25 years on various committees, culminating with the appointment as chairman of the Western Maine Health Board in 1992 and 1993.

“We are grateful for their friendship over the years, and it was an honor to know them,” Allen said.

According to information in her obituary, Elaine Montpelier served as vice president of the Norway Merchants Association, chairman of the group’s promotion committee, and was co-chair of the town’s annual Christmas parade for a number of years.

In 1975, she purchased the Block Store, a men’s and women’s apparel store that was an institution on Norway’s Main Street. She later sold the store and embarked on a career as a sales representative with Bizier Real Estate of Paris and as a partner with longtime friend Joan Moorehead of Paris in Antiques, Etc.

Norway Town Manager David Holt also expressed condolences on her passing.

“When I first started working for the town in 1989, she was active and cared about the downtown,” Holt said. He said he remembered Montpelier would often give him advice and help think up ways to keep the downtown “better-looking and alive.”

The Montpeliers are survived by three children, including their daughter, Shelly and husband, Brian Shibles, of Waterford; daughter Pamela of Fort Myers, Fla.; and son, Richard and wife, Elizabeth, of Washington, D.C.; and many grandchildren.

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