AUGUSTA — Rachel E. Hoar, 65, a resident of Winthrop and Augusta, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a courageous battle with cancer.

Rachel was born in Westbrook on Oct. 3, 1948, the daughter of Leigh E. Hoar Sr. and Marion (James) Hoar.

After attending public schools in Portland and Winthrop, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Maine, Machias, graduating in 1971. Rachel worked many years for the state of Maine in various capacities, retiring as Comprehensive Health Planner II in 2008.

During the ’60s, she traveled with her guitar all over the state in coffee houses and lounges. Rachel became an active member of the Balalaika Society traveling to many Balalaika conventions including one in Russia and playing at Lincoln Center in New York. Rachel was an active member of the Green Street Methodist Church Bell ringers. Music was her biggest passion, being able not only to play but to write and sing her own compositions. She organized a chime choir and provided Christmas music to nursing homes and the Capitol building.

She was an avid knitter (known for her colorful socks), held classes in pisanki (Russian egg decorating) and did beautiful counted-cross stitch. Her second passion was wearing purple even down to carrying a purple cane. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed their outings.

Rachel was a very friendly person enjoying family get-togethers, visiting her special neighbor, Lisa, and would invite anyone strolling by to sit a spell under her huge Maple tree.

Rachel’s third passion was her cats, always having at least one black cat but often having several. When visiting Rachel her words of greeting were always “don’t let the cat out!”

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by brothers, C. Scott Hoar and Leigh Eric Hoar Jr.; and a niece.

She is survived by three sisters, Elaine Allen of Lewiston, Vivian Flick of Camden and Joanna Howard of Portland; a brother, Edward Hoar of Ohio; seven nieces and 10 nephews including Gary Flick of Naples.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m., at the Green Street Methodist in Augusta followed by a light lunch. A private family interment will be held in the spring in Winthrop.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to: The Maine Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300 Topsham, ME 04086 or https://donate.cancer.org/index