NAPLES, Fla., and BANGOR Althea Gertrude (Wildes) New-man, 89, formerly of Bangor, died April 9, 2008. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter of Fred Henry Wildes and Lillian (Ladd) Wildes. Mrs. Newman was a direct descendant of Sarah Averill Wildes, one of the Salem martyrs of 1692. She was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She summered with her grandparents in Saco and Kennebunkport. In Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Newman played semi-professional basketball for the New York Automats at the Hippodrome, Manhattan. She was an avid golfer and she made two holes-in-one. Mrs. Newman and her two older sons, Frederic and Paul, were among the first American dependents to travel to war ravaged Europe after World War II. She joined her husband, Frederic, who was serving in the American occupation of Austria. The family resided in Vienna, Austria, for five years, where she became very comfortable with the German language. Her sons, Robert and Thomas, were born in Vienna, Austria. Mrs. Newman raised her children in Bangor, where her fifth son, Richard, was born. Although her family was the primary focus of her life, she was also active in the community. She was a member of All Souls Congregational Church, the City Board of Recreation, the Quipus, Athene Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was past president of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter A, Bangor. Mrs. Newman was a member of Penobscot Valley Country Club and Quail Run Golf Club of Naples, Fla. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Frederic S. Newman; five sons, Frederic S. Newman Jr. and his wife, Hiroko, of Seoul, Korea, Paul W. Newman and his wife, Martha, of Bangor, Robert S. Newman and Patricia Reynolds of Boston, Thomas R. Newman and his wife, Renee, of Portland and Richard W. Newman and his wife, Heidi, of Walpole, Mass.; 11 grandchildren, Karen N. Sims, Kristine N. MacKessy and her husband, Gregory, Katherine M. Newman, Paul Y. Newman and his wife, Rachel, William G. Newman, Matthew F. Newman, Elyse N. Newman, Robert T. Newman, Holly A. Newman, Michelle F. Newman, and Kelly C. Newman; three great-grandchildren, Alexandria Sims, and Liam and Kai MacKessy; and two brothers, Fred E. Wildes and his wife, Angelina, of Limington, and Stanley L. Wildes and his wife, Patrice, of Naples, Fla. She was predeceased by two grandchildren, Scott Newman and Jennifer L. Newman; and two sisters, Pauline W. Rogers and Muriel W. Doyle. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Renee U. Garrett, M. Div., Minister of Christian Nurture, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments immediately after the service in the church vestry. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
ALTHEA G. (WILDES)
