Nara M. Newell

It is with great sadness to inform you that Nara Newell, 45, suddenly left this world on her own terms on January 24, 2024.  Nara was born in Waterville on November 5, 1978, daughter of Reggie “Ragu” Newell and Cheryl Bacon Bean.  

Nara was a Passamaquoddy tribal member who spent much of her early childhood and teens on the family farm in Washington county and in numerous surrounding towns where she greatly enjoyed the outdoors riding horses and dreaming of one day becoming a veterinarian. As a teenager she moved to San Diego where her first son was born then later moving to the Chicago area where her second son was born. After several years she moved back home to Washington County where her third son and daughter were born.

She worked as a wreath maker where she was well known for being highly skilled, along with other various jobs where she thrived in customer service.

Nara was intelligent, creative, fierce and independent, carrying an inviting radiant energy that drew in the ones who considered her a friend, who many remember fondly, and she would make conversation with just about anyone from any walk of life. She was often found working on various crafts or puzzles, going for walks, visiting with friends while chatting the day away and was an avid reader.

Nara was predeceased by her grandparents Wallace “Wuzzy” and Mary (Hartford) Bacon and Fannie Newell; father Reggie “Ragu” Newell; stepfather Dan Bean, who she called “Dad”; and her son Ryan Caleb O’Neil.

She is survived by her sons Nathan Newell and Daniel Meader (I’ll love you forever Mom), and daughter Emma Emery; mother Cheryl (Bacon) Bean; brothers Eric Bacon and Jesse Bean (Ellen Nicholas); sister Bridget (Newell) Stevens and husband Jesse and Nara’s longtime companion Thomas Vanderbush; also many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be no formal services, but we will gather together at a later date to remember Nara.  Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.