BRUNSWICK — Margaret (Jean) McAllaster, 84, died Dec. 22 in Brunswick. She was born on April 10, 1928, in Middleton, Tenn., the daughter of George and Mildred Gatewood Crawford.
 
After graduating from Middleton High School in 1948, she moved to Memphis to work as an operator for a telephone company. While in Memphis, she once played in a basketball game against the Harlem Globetrotters.  

At a Halloween party in 1953, she met Frank McAllaster, a U.S. Navy sailor from New Hampshire. They married six months later on Feb. 6, 1954, and for the next 15 years were stationed all across the country, from Hawaii to Maine.

McAllaster’s open, friendly manner made her popular at every post. In 1967, after Frank left the Navy, the couple settled in Brunswick, where they raised animals, fruits, vegetables and a family. As her children grew older, McAllaster took jobs outside the home, working in Brunswick schools and finally in the L.L. Bean returns department, where she stayed for more than 20 years.

She enjoyed bowling throughout her life, and participated in leagues at the Navy base and at Yankee Lanes in Brunswick, often serving as league social secretary.  She also coached her daughter’s softball teams. She loved her family, which she considered her greatest prize.

McAllaster is survived by her three children, Donald and his wife, Suzanne, of Massachusetts, Susan and her partner, Lonnie, of Brunswick, and Patrick and his wife, Crystal, also of Brunswick; three granddaughters; a grandson; and nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Frank, who died Sept. 17, 2010.

A memorial service was held Dec. 28 at Stetson’s Funeral Home in Brunswick, with the Rev. Ronald McLaughlin officiating. Burial at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, beside her husband, will be at a later date.

Memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.


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