NEWBURGH – Elsie Irene (Kimball) Brough went home to be with her Lord, April 29, 2008. She was born Nov. 26, 1914, in Newburgh, to Guy H. Kimball and Elmyra (Dunton) Kimball. Elsie graduated from Hampden Academy and Gilman Business College. While working in the University of Maine treasurer’s office in Orono, she set up the bookkeeping system, which was used until the advent of computers. Elsie spent the better part of her life helping others. She and her late husband, the Rev. A. Allan Brough, who pastored churches in West Hampden, Hermon, Richmond, Dexter and Fairfield, were the co-founders of Hospital Chaplaincy Service, Inc. HCS is an organization that has been providing comfort and cheer to long-term care residents since 1960. Today, HCS serves nearly 200 facilities, representing 15,500 elderly, ill and confined residents. Together Elsie and Allan traveled the width and breadth of the state, speaking before church congregations and local organizations on behalf of HCS. They were well known by people all across the state and were recognized by the Maine State Legislature for their work benefiting the elderly. Elsie trained as an occupational therapist in order to gain better understanding of the needs of those she was serving. She was the driving force that motivated some 4,500 HCS volunteers across the state. Most of the comfort and therapeutic items still produced and provided through HCS were designed as a direct result of her insights. Although Elsie never officially retired, she stopped going into the office at age 85. Elsie was predeceased by a brother, Orrin D. Kimball; and two sisters, Zephia (Kimball) Dunton and Florence Kimball. She is survived by two daughters, Hannah E. (Brough) Paiva and her husband, David E. Paiva, of Mapleton, and Martha L. (Brough) Bankston and her husband, Burton C. Bankston, of Newburgh; two granddaughters, Allison H. Bankston of Brewer and Stacey L. (Paiva) Kantrowitz of Newburgh, N.Y., and her son, Elsie’s great-grandson, Timothy Paul Peach; a niece, Jane E. Kimball; and a nephew, Amos W. Kimball, both of Newburgh. The family expresses its appreciation to the staff of Stillwater Health-care, Bangor, where Elsie resided for more than two years. They especially thank the director of activities, Jennifer Collins for her kind and loving attention. A private memorial service will be held. Donations in Elsie’s memory may be made to Hospital Chaplaincy Service, Inc., 2912 Western Ave., Newburgh, ME 04444. Expressions of condolence may be posted at Hospitalchaplaincy@live.com.
ELSIE IRENE (KIMBALL) BROUGH
