SOUTH PORTLAND- Chantelle Lee Erskine (Harnden), aged 57, passed away on September 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones after a battle with a rare blood cancer.
She was born in Portland on October 4, 1967, the daughter of Earl and Paula Harnden.
Chantelle grew up in Windham Maine, her childhood home located on the Presumpscot River. Chantelle and her younger brother, Scott, spent all of their summer days with the neighborhood kids at the beach swimming or playing outside until it was dark. Chantelle often reminisced on the air horn her dad would use to signal to her and Scott when it was time to come home.
As an adult, Chantelle still loved to swim and her favorite spot was still her childhood home, a place which she shared only with those closest to her. Chantelle learned to golf and loved to bowl with friends and was even on a bowling league for a while. Before its closing, Chantelle loved going to the Saturday night races at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.
After graduating from Windham High School, Chantelle worked for Anthem BCBS and eventually the South Portland School Department where she was a receptionist for South Portland High Schools Off Campus location before becoming the receptionist for the Superintendents office. Chantelle's face was often the first face people would see when entering the office, and she made sure to greet everyone with a big smile.
Chantelle was like a second mother to many of her daughters friends, always making sure everyone felt welcome, was always there to listen, and of course always made sure there were plenty of snacks in the house.
Chantelle put so much effort into the holidays, especially Christmas. Not only did she put tremendous thought into the gifts she bought, she loved making new traditions and bringing magic to the holiday. Last year when Chantelle found out she was going to be a Grandmother for the first time, she was so excited for the opportunity to start new traditions. She was looking forward to watching her granddaughter Mia grow up. Unfortunately their time together was cut short but Mia will grow up hearing many stories about her Gigi.
Chantelle is predeceased by her father, Earl Harnden, and her brother, Scott Harnden. She is survived by her mother, Paula Harnden of Windham; daughter Riley Moulton, her husband Anthony and their daughter Mia of Steep Falls; sister-in-law Erica Harnden of Harrison; niece Ashley Kenney, her husband Dana, and their daughter Kinsley of Windham; niece Paige Harnden, her fiancé Rory Sullivan, and their son Kiernan of Casco; nephew Devon Harnden of Windham; and best friend Susan Kinney of South Portland.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, September 26 from 4-6PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Refuge League.