ROCKPORT – Alison Green Wiggin, died Sunday, June 18, 2006, after a long illness, with her family by her side at her home. She was born Feb. 7, 1946, in Rollinsford, N.H., the daughter of the late Fred and Dorothy (Nutter) Green. Formerly of Houlton, she had lived in Rockport since 2002 and spent her summers in her family’s beach house atYork Beach. She attended elementary school in Rollinsford and graduated from South Berwick High School in 1964. After her marriage to David Wiggin in 1966, she attended the University of Maine and Ricker College. She received her bachelor’s degree in education and English from the University of Maine and later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Maine system. Her teaching career began with fourth grade students at the Merrill School in Smyrna Mills and continued when she became the high school English teacher at the Oakfield Community High School. In 1974, she joined the English faculty at Houlton High School where she taught sophomore English for nearly three decades. After moving to Rockport, she substituted at area high schools. During the past two years she worked as an aide in the resource room at Camden Hills Regional High School. While at Houlton High School, Mrs. Wiggin created the Community Service Program for students in grades 11 and 12 to encourage young people to learn more about their communities by volunteering at local nursing homes, animal rescue shelter and the food pantry. She also developed a big brother/big sister program for high school students to mentor elementary children. As the advisor of the National Honor Society, she encouraged both community service and academic achieve-ment among her many students. In 1996, she was recognized by Gov. Angus King for her work in developing the student service program in Houlton which became a model for many similar programs in Maine high schools. She was an avid fan of high school athletics and earned a certificate as a soccer official in 1988. She was also a cheerleading coach and never missed a Houlton High School basketball game. Rumor grew to legend among students who speculated if she dropped a stitch in her courtside knitting, the home team was sure to lose. In 2002, she was recognized by the Presidential Scholars Program as one of the nation’s most successful high school teachers. She was honored with other teachers and their students at a celebration hosted by First Lady Laura Bush in Washington, D.C. She was rarely without her knitting and her sweaters have become prized possessions of friends and relatives. Her interest in knitting led her to many wonderful friendships in the midcoast area. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, David C. Wiggin of Rockport; her two daughters and sons-in-law, Bethany Wiggin and David Helgerson of Philadelphia, Pa., Emily and Jonathan Bailey of Portsmouth, N.H. She was anticipating her first grandchild’s arrival in August. Mrs. Wiggin also left two sisters and a brother, Faith Kenton of Willimantic, Conn., Bethany Dumais of Somersworth, N.H. and Peter Green of Portland and their spouses; several nieces, nephews and many cousins and their children. A celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 30, at the First Congregational Church in Camden with the Revs. Kenneth Sawyer and Kevin Pleas officiating. At her wish, the family has requested no flowers be sent. Memorial donations may be made to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance by visiting www.ovariancancer.org or the Camden Food Pantry, P.O. Box 337, Camden, ME 04843. Arrangements with the Laite Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.
ALISON G. WIGGIN
