Obituaries from the week of 03/12/09

The only daughter of Kalle and Mary (Pulkkinen) Kilponen, she was born in Paris and attended schools in Canton and Monmouth Academy. She lived most of her life in Farmington and was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Maine and the Finnish American Society of West Paris. She worked at Maine Dowel and the Bass Shoe Co. While working at Bass, she attended night school and graduated from Una’s Beauty School in Skowhegan, and later opened the Fashion Beauty Salon in Farmington. She furthered her training by attending and graduating from the Ritz Hairstyling in New York, and Leon Amandello’s Hairstyling Design in Toronto, Canada. After retiring from hairdressing, she moved to Greene to become a special caregiver for several years, before moving to Millinocket to live with her daughter. She was very proud of her family’s Finnish heritage. Her headstone is a piece of the granite front step from the old family homestead in Vienna. She enjoyed reading, playing cribbage and was a Boston Red Sox fan. She also loved the ocean, the sun and going to the beach. Her family will always cherish the memories of these summer times.

Surviving are daughters, Sherry Walker of Farmington and Bettey Oliver of Millinocket; son, Scott Hemingway, (formerly of Casco) of Biddeford; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; a nephew, two nieces; and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; four brothers, Ansel, Knute (Minion), Harold and The Rev. Elmer Kilponen; and two nieces.

Howard was a resident of the Maine Veterans’ Home, where he was heralded as a true inspiration to both residents and staff.

Born in Somerville, Mass. on August 27, 1918, and having resided in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, he was the oldest of six children of Howard A. Stockwell and Dorothy W. Stewart. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1936 and Dartmouth College in 1940. Howard served as an anti-aircraft captain in the U.S. Army during World War II in the South Pacific Theatre from Guadalcanal to the Philippines. His memoirs, “World War II, A Love Story,” were recently accepted into the Library of Congress Veterans’ History Project.

After 33 years in advertising and marketing consulting firms, he founded, with his sons, Stockwell Associates, Inc., in 1979. His sons, David and Thomas, still run the company today. Howard was the patriarch of a family compound on Keoka Lake in Waterford, his family having summered there since 1897.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jane Riley; daughter, Susan Swonger; brothers, Frederick and Stewart; and his sister, Joan.

He is survived by his life partner of 23 years, Jane Flagg Guise, Newbury, N.H.; his sons John of Nashua, N.H., Thomas of Bridgton, and David of Groton, Mass.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his brother Richard; and his sister, Martha.

At his request, there will be no immediate funeral service. A private service later in the spring will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Howard’s name to: Dartmouth College Fund, c/o Gift Recording Office, 6066 Development Office, Hanover, NH 03755-3555.

Arrangements are under the direction of Weston-Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.westonchandler.com

Judy was born Aug. 8, 1924, in San Bernardino, Calif., the daughter of Gordon Henry Atkinson and Katherine (Fletcher) Atkinson. Judy attended schools in Vermont, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Maine, including Deering High School and Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. She also attended the University of New Hampshire for a semester before enlisting in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps as a private from 1943-1946, serving in Canada and England. In 1948, she married Robert “Bob” Waterman, who had just purchased the Douglas Hill Apple Orchard in Sebago. This was the first of many homes for Judy and Bob, who reveled in her amazing talent of decorating homes with her many “treasures” acquired during their travels in the United States and overseas. Judy and Bob renovated homes in the Florida Keys, Arizona, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Cape Elizabeth, Sanford, Springvale, and Ossipee, N.H. Boating was another of their interests, and one of their favorite memories was piloting their power boat the entire length of the Intra-Coastal Waterway, starting in Key West and ultimately ending one month later in Portland Harbor. Her other interests included antiquing, and collecting fine china and glass. Judy excelled at needlepoint and leaves many wonderful examples for her family. She was an avid nature lover who enjoyed bird watching. Nothing was more important, however, than the company of her family and close friends.

Besides her parents, Judy is predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Bob; and brother, Fletcher West “Punch” Atkinson.

She is survived by four children, Gail Klahs of Kennebunk, Ann Vermette of Springvale, Gordon Waterman of Shapleigh, and Nancy Waterman of Kennebunkport; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation is today, Thursday afternoon, March 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Elizabeth A. Keating officiating. Burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to: The American Cancer Society New England Division, Inc., 1 Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086 or the Maine Audubon Society, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.

She was born on June 1, 1914, the daughter of Etta and William Ross. She was born on Chebeague Island and lived there all her life. She attended the island schools and the then-known Greely Institute. She lived in Connecticut for a brief time prior to the death of her husband, Leland Hamilton Sr., in 1975. She then moved after two years from the island to the home of her eldest daughter and son in-law, Lloyd and Loretta Parker and resided in Raymond. Elsie was an amazing lady. She was strong in her faith, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. She was well loved by anyone who met her. She went lobstering for a long time alongside of her husband Leland. She worked endless hours by getting up early in the morning and going lobstering. She would come home, cook dinner, take care of her family and then sitting up some time until late into the night picking out crabmeat to sell. Elsie was an avid Red Sox fan. She loved to watch them on TV. She used to sit and watch and if things weren’t going well for the team, every so often she would say, “Oh for crying out loud, Ortiz, what’s the matter with you.” If the game was going well she would say, “Good for you David.” She tried very hard not to miss a game. She also was a bird watcher and loved to feed birds, watch them nest and take care of their young. She was a member of the Chebeague Island Methodist Church and Ladies Aid until moving to Portland where she transferred to Central Square Baptist. At CSBC, she became a member of their craft group, The Friendship Circle, where she was the treasurer. She loved making crocheted stuffed animals, doilies, place mats and of course baby blankets.Every child born in the Hamilton family received a baby blanket or something that Elsie made for them. They are keepsakes for years to come. She continued on making things for both churches for their fairs, right up until December when she had a stroke. Her work was intricate and fine. No other word describes her crafts but beautiful.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1975; and a son, Leland Jr. who passed away on May 15, 2005.

Elsie is survived by five children, Loretta of Raymond, Sherman of North Yarmouth, Lois of Nokomis, Fla., Leon of Chebeague Island and Holly of Old Orchard Beach; 24 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held Sunday, March 8, 2009, at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A funeral service was held Monday, March 9, 2009, at Central Square Baptist Church, 4 Brentwood St., Portland. Spring interment will be held at Chebeague Island Cemetery. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Hamilton family by visiting www.mem.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Central Square Baptist Church, 4 Brentwood Street, Portland, ME 04103.

She was born in Naples on Nov. 8, 1913, a daughter of Frank and Maggie Pitts. Ruth graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1932, before graduating from Gorham Normal School in 1934. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Farmington Normal School. Her first teaching job was at the one-room schoolhouse at Kimball’s Corner. She then moved to the Naples Grammar School, where she became the first female principal. Ruth taught for 20 years in Naples prior to moving on to Guy E. Rowe School in Norway. She retired from South Paris Junior High School in 1972 after 22 years of teaching. She moved back to Meadow Brook Farm to help care for her aging mother and raise her Collie dogs of which she had many and loved much. Ruth was an avid fisherman and could often be found fishing the brook near the family farm. She always loved her cars.

Surviving are her sister Mary of Naples; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Orland and Loton, as well as her sister Marjorie.

Funeral services will be held in the spring. Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Casco.

Martha was born in Portland, the daughter of Leonel Joseph Lavigne and Ruth May Henderson. She was a graduate of South Portland High School, Class of 1957. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper in the Greater Portland area. Most recently, she was a foster grandparent for the Portland school system where she shared her love of art with the children. She was a member of the Casco Aerie #565 Portland Eagles for many years and served as the Madam Vice President of the Women’s Auxiliary.

She is predeceased by her parents.

She is survived by her children, Michael Palmer of Casco; Jacqueline Smith of Acton, Mass.; and Holly Rondeau of Webster, Mass.; six grandchildren; and a cousin.

Visiting hours were held Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A memorial Mass was held Saturday, March 7, 2009, at St. John the Evangelist in South Portland. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.

He was born on Jan. 6, 1923, in Portland, the son of Charles T. and Marion B. (Pearson) Miller, attended local schools, and was a 1940 graduate of South Portland High School. During World War II and Korea, Charles served in the Army Air Corps. During this time, he attended meteorology school. Following his service, Charles entered the Army Reserves, and worked for the U.S. Weather Bureau in Portland. He retired from the Weather Bureau in 1979 after 32 years, and when he retired from the Army Reserves, he had a total of 35 years in the armed forces. Charles was a winter resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., before moving there permanently. He was a member of the Portland Elks Club, the American Legion Post 17/Harold T. Andrews Post, and the V.F.W. Post #832 South Portland. Charles very much enjoyed playing golf.

Charles is survived by his sons, Charles T. Miller of Raymond, and Stephen P. Miller of Yarmouth; a sister, Marjorie G. Lowell of Freeport; a brother, Herbert P. Miller of Pinellas Park, Fla.; and four grandchildren.

Visiting hours were on Monday, March 9, 2009, at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers were recited on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charles’ name to: The Salesian Missions, 2 Lefevre Lane, P.O. Box 30, New Rochelle, NY 10802.

The daughter of Hervey C. Livermore Sr. and Marion Mayberry Livermore, she was born in Westbrook, on Aug. 24, 1922. As a young teenager, she took a live-in job with a Gorham couple so that she could attend school in Gorham and play for the Gorham High School basketball team. MJ graduated from Gorham High School in 1940 and went on to attend Doctor Drummand’s Nursing School on State Street in Portland. She graduated in 1943, joined the Navy Nurse Corps in 1944, and was stationed at the United States Naval Hospital in Sampson, N.Y. She held the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade when she was honorably discharged in 1946. Mary Jane worked as an industrial nurse at the shipyard in South Portland and briefly attended the University of Pittsburgh. In 1946, Mary Jane came to North Conway, N.H., and worked at the Memorial Hospital. She met and married her husband of 35 years, Jesse E. Lyman ll. Together, they owned and operated Jesse E. Lyman Incorporated until 1971 when both retired. MJ spent the winters in Florida, but retained her residence in North Conway, N.H. Devoted to her many friends in Florida and North Conway, N.H., Mary Jane maintained relationships with childhood companions, former classmates, friends associated with the Shell Oil Company and traveling companions from Shriners’ tours. Her positive attitude and dry Yankee humor brought out the best in each person whose life she touched.

MJ will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Ann Diskin of Sweden; and her granddaughter.

She is predeceased by her brother, Hervey C. Livermore Jr.

A graveside service and a celebration of her life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to a favorite charity, Hospice Services of Northern Carroll County or Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.