BANGOR – Hilda T. (Wheelwright) Sewall, 85, died Friday, June 2, 2006, at a Bangor nursing home. She was born Sept. 25, 1920, in Bangor, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Wheelwright. After attending Orono schools, she graduated from The Spence School in New York City and from Bennington College in Vermont in 1942, where she majored in science with a concentration in biochemistry. After college she worked in a medical research laboratory affiliated with Harvard Medical School in Cambridge, Mass. Through her mother’s family, the Thatchers, she was a descendant of the Thoreau family, which included Henry David Thoreau. Her great-great-grandfather was a founder of Bangor Savings Bank and her great-grandfather built the Wheelwright Block in Bangor, which includes now such businesses as The Grasshopper Shop and Phoenix Inn. Her father was active in Bangor civic affairs as a director of several banks, as well as chairman of the board of Eastern Maine General Hospital, now Eastern Maine Medical Center. In 1943, after marrying Joseph Sewall of Old Town, she moved with him to various Navy bases, where he was assigned during World War II, then returned to live in Old Town and raise two sons. She was a member of the Shakespeare Club and Center Harbor Yacht Club in Brooklin. An avid golfer and tennis-player, she was a member of the Penobscot Valley Country Club. She became an active volunteer with the Bangor Halfway House, serving as board secretary and friend to many of the residents. She was also a devoted animal-lover, particularly of dogs. She is survived by her estranged husband; her son, David of Orono; her granddaughter, Elisabeth of Boston; her cousins, Barbara McKernan of Scarborough and Charles Guild of Brewer; her sister-in-law, Mary Wheelwright of Camden; her Wheelwright niece and nephews living throughout the United States; a special friend, Edith Young of Bangor; and her beloved dog, Cricket. She was pre-deceased by her son, Joe; and her brother, Henry J. Wheelwright Jr. MD. At the request of the family, the service will be private. She would appreciate anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory to Wellspring, 98 Cumberland St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401.
HILDA W. SEWALL
