FLORA (PURINGTON) HANSCOM

MARSHFIELD – Flora “Flo” (Purington) Hanscom, 84, died Nov. 2, 2008, surrounded by her loving family at a Machias hospital, after a long, courageous battle with rheumatoid arthritis. She was born Oct. 6, 1924, in South Addison, the daughter of Raymond and Carrie (Elder) Purington. Flo attended school in Maine and New York, and graduated from Washington Academy in 1943. She was proud to be the creator of Washington Academy’s theme song, “Here’s to WA, Boys.” She worked in Connecticut briefly, and returned to Down East Maine to marry the “match” of her life, Herbert A. Hanscom Jr., March 14, 1944. She was always very involved in community affairs, including her work with Girl Scouts, Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Machias Valley Celebrations, planning many festivities for the area for over eight years as president and primary founder. She was also a faithful supporter of Jacksonville Grange and Washington Academy’s Alumni Association. Together with her husband, Herbert, she managed blueberry crews for more than 30 years and Flo’s Wreaths for more than 50 years, all the while helping establish Hanscom Construction, Inc. In addition to these joint efforts, she sold Avon and established many enterprises of her own, including redemption centers, craft, clothing and gift stores, an exercise salon and a food take-out. In addition to her husband, Herbert, she is survived by two daughters, June Ashmore of East Machias and Debbie Guptill and husband, Lyle “Chi,” of East Machias; one son, Donald and wife, Debbie, of Marshfield; six grandchildren, Mark of Lewiston, Joseph and wife, Amanda, of Northfield, Erika and husband, Ken, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Jessika and husband, Dante, of Lubec, Monika of East Machias and Erik of Wesley; seven great-grandchildren, Hannah Roy of New York, Eliza Netzorg of Pennsylvania, Zoey, Jude, Veda, Ayla and Ida Zanoni of Lubec; two sisters, Joan Sanborn and husband, Robert, of Columbia Falls and Patricia Dennison and husband, Stanley, of East Machias; one brother, Richard Purington and wife, Judy, of East Machias; two brothers-in-law, Raymond Hanscom and wife, Lillian, and Ivan Hanscom and wife, Beverly, all of Marshfield; and one sister-in-law, Frances Moran of East Machias. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and friends; and “adopted” children, especially Carl “Buster” Harmon of Wisconsin. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, William; son-in-law, Michael Ashmore; and a grandson, Joshua Hanscom. There will be no visiting hours. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Machias Valley Baptist Church with Pastor John Sprague officiating. Friends are invited to a time of fellowship with the family 1 p.m. until the time of service in the church gymnasium. Burial will be afterward at Jacksonville Cemetery, East Machias. Gifts in memory of Flo may be made to Washington Academy Alumni Association, P.O. Box 190, East Machias, ME 04630. Arrangements are under the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias. www.bragdonkelley.com