ROCKLAND – Ida May Harding, 88, of Thomaston, devoted wife to Beniah C. Harding and mother to son, Conrad, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at the Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland. She was born July 13, 1917, in Milbridge, the daughter of Palmer and Viola (Ray) Hart. She graduated as valedictorian of Milbridge High School in 1936 and from the University of Maine in 1938 where she majored in romance languages. While at the University of Maine, she was a member of the honorary societies Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi as well as the outing club. She married Beniah Harding on Dec. 30, 1939, at Portsmouth, N.H. Their son, Conrad, was born in Washington, D.C. She was a language teacher at Greely Institute, South Thomaston, Thomaston High School, Union High School, and Medomak Valley High School. She often said that her happiest years of teaching were the fours years at Union High School. The last graduating Class of Union High School (1968) dedicated their yearbook to her. She maintained lasting friendships with her students from this class. She was a member of the Thomaston Federated Church, Thomaston Historical Society, President of the former Thomaston P.T.A., former member of the Thomaston Fourth of July Committee and its Grand Marshall in 1983, member of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Maine, secretary of the former Rockland Methabessec Club, one of the four founders of the current Friends of Montpelier in 1985, Knox County Retired Teachers Association, Maine Retired Teachers Association, member of the Milbridge Alumni Association and Historical Society, and the Union Historical Society. She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Ray Hart. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Beniah Harding of Thomaston; son, Conrad Ben Harding of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; good friend, Irene Hawes of Union. The funeral will be held in the spring of 2006 at a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Thomaston Federated Church, 8 Hyler St., Thomaston 04861, Knox Center for Long Term Care, 6 White St., Rockland 04841 or Humane Society of Knox County, Dexter St. Ext., Rockland 04841. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall & Bibber Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 78 Main St., Thomaston.
IDA MAY HARDING
