CHELSEA -- Lilla MacLaren (Nicholas) Carter died unexpectedly April 14, 2010, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta.She was born in East Millinocket on Dec. 1, 1924, the daughter of Carl and Josephine (Haskins) McLaren.Lilla married Dennis Nicholas in 1945, with whom she had four children: Barbara, Bettijane, Jerry and Michael.She and her family lived in the Gardiner area for many years and she worked as a housekeeper for various local families. Even though she was "retired," she couldn't bring herself to stop providing this service for a couple of very special clients -- who were actually as dear to her as family.In 1969, she married Maurice Carter, with whom she operated L&M Lobster Pound in Chelsea for many years. He died in 1989."Ma" or "Gram" was a dedicated member of the Augusta Gardiner Lions Club, receiving Lion of the Year and Melvin Jones awards. She was the club's eyeglass chairwoman, assisting countless people in need to obtain eyeglasses. She was also a member of Trial & Error, and one of the happiest days of her life was when she met Dennis Dechaine, in whose innocence she profoundly believed.Ma/Gram will be remembered for her strength, sense of humor and dedication to and love for her family -- as well as her willingness to help others in need.She was predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Dennis and Maurice; daughters Barbara Nicholas and Bettijane Soule Goulet; son Jerry Nicholas; sister Jane Walls; and brothers Vernon and Frank MacLaren.She is survived by her sister, Anne Jewett and family, of Lewiston; son Michael Nicholas and his wife, Paula, of Chelsea; grandchildren Katrina Evans and her husband, Rob, of China, Julie Anderson and her husband, Chris, of Australia, Michael Nicholas Jr. and his wife, Vaunalee, of Chelsea, Paul Soule and his partner, Brian Tompkins, of Augusta, David Soule and his wife, Kim, of Chelsea, and Laurie Soule, of Virginia; and daughter-in-law Margie Nicholas and family, of Randolph. She leaves nine great-grandchildren, Chelsea and Emily Soule, Nathan and Jacob Evans, Harper and Will Anderson, Michael (III) and Austin Nicholas, and Devonte Bivins; as well as many dear, close friends.Ma/Gram will be missed more than words can say, but she would want everyone to remember this:"Don't stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep ... When you awake in the mornings hush, I am the swift unflinging rush of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft star-shine at night, Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die."Friends may visit from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, where a memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in the family lot in Belfast.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HealthReach Hopsice & Volunteers of Kennebec Valley in Gardiner, c/o MaineGeneral Health Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903. Condolences to the family may be sent via the funeral home Web site at www.plummerfh.com.