Biographie Lalonde Gertrude

Le 3 décembre 1984

Gertrude Estelle Eastman, a local artist and a founding member of the Old Orchard Beach Art Association, died Monday at Brunswick hospital following a lengthy illness. She was the widow of Leslie E. Eastman, who died in 1970.

Mrs. Eastman was born at Fitchburg, Mass., daughter of Alfred J. and Laura A. Levesque Lalonde, and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1931.

Since coming here in 1938, she had been active in various community affairs. She was instrumental in establishing the local art association in 1955, and in 1977 successfully petitioned the town council for permission to convert the former fire station into a permanent art center where local artist could exhibit their works and participate in the annual art festival.

Under Mrs. Eastman direction the art association developed studio facilities where area residents of all ages have received instruction in different art media.

She was nominated for the Jefferson Award for her efforts in attracting educators and students of all ages to the art center. She was a self-educated artist, well known for watercolors and oils, and had exhibited her paintings in numerous exhibits throughout Maine and New England.

Prior to her retirement in 1974 because of ill health, she had been employed by the advertising department of WIDE radio station, Biddeford, where she did commercials and was an account executive.

She was later a color stylist at Sherwin Williams Co., Biddeford, and then a hostess for Welcome Wagon.

Besides the art association, she was a member of the Washington Avenue United Methodist Church

Surviving are a son, Leslie M. Eastman of Old Orchard Beach and Lewiston; a brother, Gerald Lalonde of Nottingham, New Hampshire; and a sister, Claire Yattaw of Clearwater, Florida