Nellie Lea Rawding

NORWAY – Nellie Lea Rawding, 65, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024, at Maine Medical Center following a tragic traffic accident. Her sisters and long time partner were by her side. Nellie was born on Oct. 4, 1958, to Edwin E. Rawding and Leah F. Macdougall Rawding, the youngest of four daughters.

Nellie Lea, as her family always called her, grew up on Paris Hill and attended school in the SAD 17 District, graduating from Oxford Hills High School in 1976. Showing an early talent for photography, she attended professional classes, learning the trade from the bottom up. This artistic talent was a common theme in all of Nellie’s work. She became a sought after floral designer working in Freeport, Rumford, and finally Littlefield’s Flowers and Gifts.

Antiques, vintage, and anything old or historic were passionate pursuits. She owned Nel’s Gatherings, a vintage gift store in Norway for several years and had a large personal collection of antique decor and toys. Nellie also created imaginative items from repurposed materials: fairy doors, birdfeeders, candlesticks. Nellie was a fine artist as well, painting pictures of native flora and fauna.

She was passionate about nature, especially animals; relentlessly helping injured wildlife and looking out for those in need. She loved bats and mice and was known as the Chipmunk Whisperer. She rescued Honey Bee, her adored Tabby cat. Nellie had a special fascination with movies from the thirties and forties, particularly Hitchcock. Many will remember the epic Halloween parties Nellie hosted for family and friends.

Nellie leaves behind her partner, Jeffrey Raymond of Harrison; sisters, Faith Rawding of Cliff Island, Rebekah Rawding Greenwood (and husband Fred Greenwood) of Hebron, and Ellen Rawding of Paris. She has 8 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews who will miss her always.

There is a private service planned for family.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco where condolences and tributes may be shared with Nellie’s family and friends at http://www.hallfuneralhome.net.

Donations in memory of Nellie can be made to Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills 9 Swallow Road, South Paris, ME 04281

http://www.responsibilepetcare.org

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