Obituary: Rochelle Marie (Lewis) Whitaker


The family of Rochelle Whitaker is saddened to announce that their mother has departed the physical realm after a short illness on Nov. 8, 2025. Rochelle fully lived the expression, Be The Light.


Born in Lancaster, N.H., on March 15, 1938, to William and Doris (Gathercole) Lewis, she soon welcomed siblings Renie, Rosalie, Priscilla, William, Theodore (Teddy) and Sharon. Her father was a farmer and they moved numerous times before landing in North Fryeburg, Maine, in 1956 for what would be her senior year at the Academy. There, she met Fred Whitaker, they fell in love and were married in 1957.

After graduation, Fred entered the Navy and was stationed in Maryland returning to Fryeburg in 1959.  Sons Alan, Shawn, and Kevin, and daughter Sheila soon joined the family, and moving into their happy home on Elm Street where Rochelle still resided.

Remembered most of all for her generosity, kindness and love of her family, she always had a smile on her face, a kind word for all, and a song in her heart.

A highlight of her younger days was competing in Augusta, Maine, for the statewide honor of Miss Dairy Queen, for which she was the proud runner-up.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed decorating and redecorating her home, knitting, quilting, playing the piano, and attempting to be a cook. She was known for changing the name of her desserts based on how well they did, or didn’t, turn out; always with an easy laugh.

Over the years, their home was always open for neighborhood kids needing a place to stay, often for longer periods. She always found a way to stretch their food and make room for them in what became their home away from home.

She was predeceased by her parents and in 2009 by her husband, Fred; as well as her sons Shawn in 2021, and Alan in 2024. Rochelle was delighted to live long enough to welcome seven grandchildren, Kristen (Justin), Jessica (Jayson), Jonathan (Kayla), Matthew (Tori), Alex (Chris) Brenna (Mike) and Shayna (Greg).

Next came nine great grandchildren, Brynn, Ava, Lexi, Milo, Jack, Remy, Josh, Woods and Hayes. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved to visit her at her home where there was always something fun for them to do both inside and out in her yard.

In addition she is also survived by her son, Kevin (Sandy), and daughter, Sheila (Tim), as well as Alan’s wife, Julie. She also leaves her sisters, Renie and Sharon and sisters-in-law Laurie and Sally Whitaker as well as many nieces and nephews. Longtime friend Laurie Crouse remained a steadfast companion and true member of the family.