SEBAGO — Margaret Lillian Robinson Steeves Wentzell, 88, formerly of Windham and Sebago, died Oct. 8, 2010 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

Born in Gilbertville on Jan. 9, 1922 to Lillian Ellis and Robert E. Robinson, Margaret grew up on Windham Hill. She graduated from Windham High School in 1939 and from Portland Junior College in 1941. She and her first husband Russell R. Steeves had two children: Gerald (Jerry) and Elizabeth (Bonnie).

Margaret was always a working mother, employed as a secretary and bookkeeper at Baker Ice Corporation in South Windham, Coca Cola Company in South Portland, and Windham Millwork. In 1964, after 10 years as a single parent, she married Erland Wentzell of Falmouth, creating a blended family of six children. In 1967, they moved to the town of Sebago where they were active in the Sebago Center Community Church, the Maple Grove Grange holding several offices and was a Junior State Deputy, and the AFS student exchange program. They moved into a newly-built home on Windham Hill in 2000 and transitioned to assisted living at Birchwoods on Canco Road in Portland in 2005.

Known among her family and friends as “Margie,” she always had a kind word and friendly smile for everyone she met. She went out of her way to show concern and compassion for others; was generous with her time and talents; and will be remembered as a kind and gracious woman. She had especially enjoyed the company of her Falmouth friends, the “Friday Girls.” Needlework was her special talent, including sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, and tatting. Quilting became her favorite craft in later years.

She is survived by a brother Robert Robinson of Ocala, Fla.; son Jerry Steeves of Gray; daughter Bonnie Dwyer of Manchester; children of Erland, son Stan Wentzell of Kingston, N.H., daughter Judy Wentzell of Portland, daughter Rowena Strout of North Waterboro, daughter Shirley Keene of Hilton, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 11 at Windham Hill United Church of Christ. A private burial will be held at a later date at the Windham Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME  04074.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham. Online condolences may be left at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com