WHITNEYVILLE – Blanche Mae (Dowling) Pennell, 86, died April 17, 2007, surrounded by her loving family at her home. She was born Feb. 18, 1921, in East Machias, the daughter of Fannie (Williger) Dowling and Harry Dowling. She grew up in Whitneyville, where she met and married Austin L. Pennell, Aug. 12, 1939. She was the mother of six children, Clifford, Nathan, Betty, Philip, Barbara and Linda, all born in Whitneyville. In 1954, she and Austin moved their family to Gorham, N.H., in the White Mountains and then to Milford in southern New Hampshire in 1964, where she worked for Hitchner Manufacturing, until she retired. Blanche and Austin returned to Whitneyville after Austin retired. They enjoyed their retirement, and spent many happy years fishing, hunting, camping and gardening. She loved the dances at the Wesley Dance Hall and was an avid knitter. Blanche was a member of the Whitneyville Congregational Church and the Whitneyville Community Club. She is survived by one son, Nathan and his wife, Jean, of Whitneyville; three daughters, Betty Reeves of Chesapeake, Va., Barbara Holmes of Marshal Health Care, Machias and Linda Bilodeau of Manchester, N.H.; two special daughters-in-law, Connie Pennell of Whitneyville and Virginia Pennell of Nashua, N.H.; and five brothers, Harold “Bud” Dowling and his wife, Betty, of Jonesboro, Henry Dowling of Whitneyville, Herbert Dowling and his wife, Pam, of Whitneyville, Edgar Dowling and his wife, Gail, of Buena Vista, Ga., and Harry Dowling and his wife, Peggy, of Cathance Lake. She had 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grand-children, one great-great-grand-daughter, many cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Austin; two sons, Clifford and Philip; one brother, Charles Dowling Sr.; and two sisters, Nellie (Dowling) Applegate and Bertha (Dowling) Belanger Hamilton. She will be remembered for her love of family, strong community spirit, public suppers, square dances in Wesley, knitting, hunting and fishing. At her request, there will be no visiting hours. Interment will be at Jacksonville Cemetery, East Machias, by her family. A celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Whitneyville Congregational Church with a reception immediately after at Hillgrove Community Hall. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the Community Health and Counseling Hospice Program and the Rev. Betty Duzen for their excellent care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blanche Pennell Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 86, Machias, ME 04654.
BLANCHE MAE
