As the world learned Thursday afternoon of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II’s passing at age 96, native Briton Janet Kustron was heartbroken to hear the news.

“It’s sad,” she said. “She was a great lady. She really was.”

The queen died with family by her side at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Kustron, 60, grew up in Billings, just outide of Northampton, northwest of London, and moved to the United States 20 years ago. 

Now living in Gray, Kustron works as a clerk at Bridgham & Cook, a shop in Freeport that sells imported British goods.

“It’s just the end of an era, you know?” Kustron said. 

Shortly after the queen’s death was announced, Gov. Janet Mills offered her condolences in a statement.

“Queen Elizabeth served with dignity and grace across her historic seventy-year reign,” Mills said. “On behalf of the people of Maine, I offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”

Mills also ordered the U.S. and State of Maine flags to be lowered immediately until sunset on the day of the queen’s interment.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins posted a message on Twitter honoring the service of the queen.

“Her historic reign was defined by her dignity, character, & devotion to duty,” Collins wrote. “She will be deeply missed, but her faithful service & leadership will be long remembered.”

This morning, as America woke up to news that the queen’s doctors were concerned for her health, Kustron said she was particularly worried to see loved ones being summoned to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to be by the queen’s side.

“They’ve called all the family in, and that’s unnerving,” she said.

Kustron said a friend in England had told her that British reporters had been seen wearing black, which Kustron took as a sign that the news was not good. 

While many of the store’s regular customers love the queen and share Kustron’s concern, Kustron said she misses the camaraderie she would be sure to have in her hometown.

“It’s very difficult, because you want to have the news in the background, talk to your friends, try to understand,” she said.

In June, the queen made headlines celebrating her platinum jubilee, marking 70 years since she took the throne after the death of her father, King George VI. At the time, Kustron said she and a local group, Brits from Maine, threw a party.

“Everything about the queen is just so beautiful. She’s reigned for so long,” she said.

Like many of her countrymen and women, Kustron grew up under the queen’s reign, and said she has always admired her.

“She’s done a lot for her country. She became queen at 25, and gave up her life to serve her country. It’s a lot to take on,” Kustron said.

West Gardiner resident Mike Clements, who grew up in Birmingham, England, said he was “sadder than I expected to be.”

“It’s not something that’s come as a complete shock,” he said. “She was getting up there. But you never expect it when it comes.”

Clements, 53, has lived in Maine for 21 years and said all of his family remains in Britain.

He said the queen’s appearance with new Prime Minister Liz Truss just two days ago showed her dedication to her country.

“That shows her fortitude and the seriousness she’s always taken the job with,” he said. “She’s always considered it her duty above all else.”

Matthew Brampton, 61, now a professor of geography at the University of Southern Maine living in Portland, was born and raised in South London, coming to the United States in 1984. He said he believes he parents were married the year Queen Elizabeth was coronated.

Brampton noted that, growing up, the British monarchy is ever-present. As a child, he attended the Church of England, served in the Boy Scouts and attended state schools, all of which were overseen by the royal family and, ultimately, the queen.

“She was always the monarch,” he said. “In terms of iconography, Queen Elizabeth’s image is everywhere. Her face is on the money, her face is on the postage stamps."

Jo Howell moved from the U.K. to the U.S. over 40 years ago. Now living in Bath, Howell describes herself as “a proud American,” although she said her British heritage remains and she was deeply moved when she heard of the queen’s passing.

“I felt very, very sad – sort of crushed, even though she was 96, bless her, and had a very long and productive life,” Howell said. “It leaves a huge hole for a lot of people.”

Debra Burleson, also of Bath, (and described by Howell as a “royalist”) is British on her father’s side.

Speaking behind the circulation desk at Bath’s Patten Free Library where she works, Burleson noted the “sense of continuity” of the British monarchy, which does not have a parallel in American society.

“Americans do appreciate tradition and we’re very interested in our own history,” Burleson said. “For me, seeing that ancient tradition is special.”

Howell said Queen Elizabeth II was a woman who, during turbulent times, would “stand up, say the right things and reassure.” 

“She was somebody everyone could look to be calming,” Howell said. “And that’s gone, now.”

John Swinconeck contributed to this report.