Aloha Hilton

NORRIDGEWOCK — Aloha Bradley Hilton, 73, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan, but not before touching the lives of so many people.

Aloha was born in Bridgton, on Aug. 10, 1943, the daughter of John and Leona (Pendexter) Bradley. Aloha’s youth was spent primarily in Bridgton, but she moved to Madison, for her final two years of high school. Aloha enjoyed playing saxophone in the school bands and was a National Honor Society member/class officer at Madison High School.

In 1963, Aloha was united in marriage to her husband of 54 years, John Hilton, of Norridgewock. Aloha and John became proud parents of two daughters, Heidi and Katey. The family shared many wonderful memories together, whether traveling or at the family camp.

Aloha focused her career goals on helping others. After graduating from Yale-New Haven Hospital School of Inhalation Therapy, Aloha served as Director of Inhalation Therapy at Seton Hospital (now Thayer Hospital). Aloha went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Farmington and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine. Aloha’s educational career began in 1976, and she taught students in Waterville and S.A.D.#54 schools for 25 years before retiring. Aloha was a past school board member of S.A.D #54; past member of the Waterville Chapter for the Home for Little Wanders, and current member of the First Congregational Church of Norridgewock.

Despite the early stages of Alzheimer’s, diagnosed in the fall of 2002, Aloha was still able to enjoy many great loves — traveling, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and being with her two grandchildren. From 2008 to her passing, she received excellent care from Woodlands Memory Care Facility in Waterville and Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan.

Aloha was predeceased by her brother, Wendell Bradley. She is survived by her husband John; daughters, Katey Hilton of Waterville and Heidi Evenson and husband Eric of Essex, Vermont; and grandchildren, Emily and Natalie Evenson; her sister in-law Marcia Bradley; and several nieces and nephews, all of Oregon.

Aloha brought joy to all who knew her — a gift we can all be grateful for.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the First Congregational Church, 36 River Road, Norridgewock, after which a reception will be held in the church social room.

The family would like to thank Teresa from Beacon Hospice for the wonderful care that she gave to Aloha.

Arrangements are under the care of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 311, Norridgewock, ME 04957.