TRENTON and SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Ellie Fortenberry, 67, died peacefully Jan. 21, 2009, at her home in Trenton. She had lived with great dignity and optimism for nearly two years with a diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer. At the end of her life, she had the support and love of her family and friends. She was a hard worker and a caring friend who will be missed by all who knew her. Ellie was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Baton Rouge, La. Her family moved to Southwest Harbor in 1952, where her parents, William “Cuz” and Virginia Fortenberry owned the popular Cuz’s Cafe, Clark Point Road, for more than 10 years. After graduating from Pemetic High School in 1959, she worked at Jackson Laboratory’s Hamilton Station before starting a family with her husband, Robert Hamblen, from whom she was divorced in 1987. She and her family lived in Stamford, Conn., and then in Baton Rouge, La., from 1963 until returning to Maine to live in Northeast Harbor in 1973. In 1976 she went to work again for Jackson Laboratory, where she worked for 32 years before retiring in May 2008 as supervisor of the Lab Store. Ellie survived by her devoted companion, Ray Smith; daughter, Victoria Minutolo and son-in-law, Joe, and grandson, Joey, all of Bar Harbor; daughter, Dodie Hamblen and son-in-law, Gerry Lax, and grandson, Jesse Lax, all of Pennington, N.J.; son, Rob Hamblen, daugh-ter-in-law, Satomi Hamblen and grandson, William Hamblen of Pacifica, Calif.; her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Fred Rich of Ellsworth; her mother, Virginia Fortenberry of Ellsworth; her bestgal pals for more than 50 years, “The Girls” of Pemetic’s Class of 1959; a multitude of nieces and nephews; many, many relatives in Louisiana and Mississippi; and her cats, Joanie and Cheese Dog. Ellie loved animals and nature. She loved to dance and to walk on the beach. She loved quiet. She loved Elvis, The Platters, Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. Her favorite movie was “Gone with the Wind.” Her favorite musicals were “South Pacific” and “The King and I.” She loved to hike and kayak. She was an active member of The Girl Scouts of America for more than 30 years, first as a leader of Brownies and Juniors and Cadets when her daughters were growing up and when they were grown, as a district cookie chairman. She was a wonderful baker who could be depended on for bake sales. Her peanut butter squares and fudge gathered a following during the holiday and at Lab luncheons through the years. A service of remembrance will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Southwest Harbor. Those who wish may make a donation to CaringBridge, the organization whose website helped to keep friends and family connected during Ellie’s illness, CaringBridge, Donation Processing Center, P.O. 131447, Houston, TX 77219-1447 or donate online at www.caring bridge.org/visit/ellief. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.
ELEANOR FORTENBERRY
