NEW BEDFORD — Amy L. (Lester) Fuller, 91 of New Bedford, died Saturday, April 07, 2007, two weeks prior to her 92nd birthday, at Alden Court Nursing Care Facility in Fairhaven after a brief illness. She was the widow of the late William O. Fuller Jr.; and the daughter of the late E. Gertrude and James A. Lester.
She was born in New Bedford and was a lifelong resident of New Bedford and Dartmouth. She was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing in Fall River, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital Nursing School in Boston, Boston University School of Real Estate, and Bridgewater State College where she earned her B.S. in Elementary Education. Mrs. Fuller was a Nurse, Real Estate Broker, and Reading and Special Needs Teacher in the New Bedford Public Schools before retiring. She was the President of the Greater New Bedford Board of Realtors and first chairman of the Greater New Bedford Multiple Listing. She also served as regional vice-president, Southeastern District, for the Massachusetts Board of Realtors.
She served as President of the Women's Federation of New Bedford, President of the New Bedford Garden Club, President of the Third District Presidents' Club, a member of the College Club of New Bedford, the Massachusetts Federation of Women, New Bedford Women's' Club, Agawam Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Dartmouth Grange No. 162, the National Grange, Retired Educators Association of MA, American Contract Bridge League, a charter member of the Hollandettes, and a former member of the Wamsutta Club. Mrs. Fuller was also an avid bridge player and loved to travel, especially on the QE II and the Concorde.
Survivors include her daughters: Gail F. Sanchez of Dartmouth, MA and Arlene F. Cloutier and her husband Paul of Westport, MA; four grandchildren, Edward O. Sanchez III and his wife Colleen of Newport, RI, Melissa Sanchez O'Reilly and her husband Edward of Block Island, RI, Nicole Cloutier Rabstejnek and her husband Paul of Dartmouth, MA, and Paul Phillip Cloutier and his wife Vicki of Northbridge, MA; 5 great grandchildren, Hanna Rabstejnek, Abby Rabstejnek, Kaya Cloutier, Bailey Cloutier and Aidan O'Reilly; a sister, June St. Pierre and her husband Hubert; several nieces and nephews. She was the mother-in-law of the late Edward O. Sanchez Jr., and the sister of the late Natalie Hillman, Francis Lester, Emiline McDonald, and Clement Lester.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 29 Crafts Street Suite 450 Newton, MA 02158.
Her funeral will take place on Thursday, April 12, 2007, at 11 A.M. in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St. corner of Elm St., NB, with visitation on Wednesday from 5-7 P.M. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford, Ma.