Patricia Hamblen

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. —  Patricia Whittemore Hamblen, 83, of South Burlington, Vt., formerly of Portland, Maine, died on Jan, 13, 2013.

She was born on March 4, 1929 in Portland to the late Earl Benner Whittemore and Mary Elizabeth Tibbetts Whittemore.

She graduated from Deering High School in 1947. She went on to graduate from Westbrook Junior College in 1949. Patricia entered the Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing. In 1952, she graduated with her B.S. in Nursing. She spent her career serving her communities as a nurse in various capacities. Twenty-five years of her career was spent as a school nurse teacher in Florham Park, N.J. After retirement, Patricia and Art went back home to their beloved Maine. She spent her last year in independent living at Harborview in Vt., where she made many new friends.

Growing up, she spent hours outside with her grandfather in Maine, where she fell in love with birds, and developed a love and respect of nature. Her love of flowers led her to always be a member of the garden club wherever she was living and on the floral committee at her church. She enjoyed making artistic floral arrangements for church. Patricia was a dedicated conservationist. She was active in her churches, often serving as deacon. In her youth she was an avid athlete, and enjoyed biking and swimming into retirement. Patricia loved to read and loved being a part of a book club. Though she was hard of hearing for a great portion of her life, she was involved in many clubs and boards, never allowing her hearing loss to stop her. She had a positive spirit that will be greatly missed by her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Arthur A. Hamblen, and her sister Mary Anne Whittemore.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Egan of Fryeburg, Maine, and Margaret Carlisle and husband Todd of Essex Junction, Vt,; grandchildren, Maxwell Egan, Drew Carlisle and wife Ashley, Beth Carlisle, Tesla Egan and Madeline Egan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maine Audubon, 20 Gilsland Farms Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

The family invites you to share your memories and online condolences by visiting www.awrichfuneralhomes.com