Mette Adele Eglinton, 82, of Kennebunkport, passed away in her sleep at home on Jan. 31, 2022, after a brief time of declining health due to pulmonary fibrosis.
Mette was born on Feb. 28, 1939, in Oslo, Norway. At the age of 12, she emigrated with her family to Brooklyn, New York, where she taught herself English and excelled in school. She later earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College.
Mette met David Eglinton in Boston and they wed in 1962. She was proud to raise her three children, Peter, Karen, and Kenneth, in homes from Michigan to the Northeast. Mette was active in her communities and worked as a real estate broker in Amherst, New Hampshire. She shared with her family her love of winter and cross-country skiing as well as sailing.
After years of visiting Kennebunkport, Mette and David chose to retire there and purchased an antique home that they lovingly renovated. She enjoyed spending time by the ocean with David and a beloved dog by her side.
Mette and David enjoyed traveling the world, including many parts of Europe, China, Alaska and Canada, as well as a trip to Costa Rica with family to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and passed on many special traditions with family and friends, particularly at Christmastime with her native decorations and authentic pastries.
When not traveling, she enjoyed pursuing her many artistic talents in the community. Mette was an accomplished rug hooker, sewer, knitter, and basket maker. An avid reader, she volunteered her time at the Graves Memorial Library in Kennebunkport. With her warm smile and friendly personality she was known to make friends and connections with whomever she encountered, wherever she went.
Mette was predeceased by her mother Adele “Lillemor” Bugge, her father Jon Bjornsson, and step-father Caspar Lian.
Mette, a beloved wife, mother, and Nana, is survived by: her husband of nearly 60 years, David; her three children, Peter Eglinton (and wife Stephanie) of Portland, Karen King (and husband David) of Olney, Maryland, Kenneth Eglinton (and wife Wendy) of Weston, Massachusetts; four grandchildren (Clark, Emma, Hannah, and Julie); brother Martin Lian of Beverly, Massachusetts; sisters Anne Lian of Scarsdale, New York, and Nina Lian of Houston, Texas.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk. Messages of condolence may be left at Mette’s memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Contributions may be made in Mette’s memory to Animal Welfare Society of Kennebunk (https://animalwelfaresociety.org/give/) or Hospice of Southern Maine (https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/).
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