GOULDSBORO – Hilda M. Parritt, 85, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2004, at an Ellsworth hospital, from complications arising from a fall. She was born Sept. 8, 1918, in Milbridge, the daughter of Ernest C. and Coris S. (West) Beal, and the great-granddaughter of Barna “Tall Barney” Beal. She attended Milbridge schools and graduated from Milbridge High School in 1936. In her early years, she worked in local seafood factories before establishing a small grocery store in the village of Wyman. Later, she and her husband, Toots Parritt, owned and operated the Parritt Oil Company for decades, serving customers in Milbridge, Steuben and surrounding areas. She and Toots will always be remembered as a striking couple on the down East dance floors. In her “retirement” she began another business venture, preparing and selling crabmeat that Toots brought home from his days of fishing. Hilda was also a talented seamstress, active in her church, and loving mother, sister, aunt and grandmother. As a matriarch of the Beal family, and an industrious and intelligent woman, many sought her advice and council. She is sadly missed by family and friends. Hilda is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ivory “Toots” Parritt; her daughter, Janet P. and her husband, Dale E. Woodward, of Gouldsboro; two sisters, Florence Chipman and Eleanor Miller of Milbridge; her brother, Harvey Beal and his wife, Beverly, of Milbridge; three granddaughters, Karen Woodward Massey and her husband, Robert, of Cambridge, Mass., Alison Wallace her husband, Alton, of Milbridge, and Alicia Woodward and her husband, Jamie Watson, of Gouldsboro; one great-granddaughter, Beth Mae Wallace; two close nephews, Eric Beal and his wife, Kim, their children, Joshua and Jenna; Aaron Beal and his companion, Natalie Norton and children, Katrina, Karissa, Chelsea, Cooper and Nakia; and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her sisters, Marian Turner and Vergie Rumery; her brother, Ernest Beal Jr. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wyman Methodist Church, care of Betty Beal, 430 Wyman Road, Milbridge, ME 04658. Arrangements are in the care of Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Milbridge.