EAST WINTHROP – Mom passed peacefully in her sleep on the evening of March 16, 2009, at the Maine Veterans, Home, Augusta, where she had resided and been exceptionally cared for since July 2007. Throughout her lengthy illness she maintained a quiet dignity, strong sense of freewill, humor and empathy for others. Bee was born Bertha Elva Small, April 1, 1927, in Ellsworth, the youngest of three children of Loring M. and Elva (Chipman) Small. She enjoyed her childhood years growing up on Bridge Hill, involving herself in a variety of school activities, including her singing debut on a local radio station. After her graduation from high school in 1944, she traveled to Connecticut for training to become a telegraph and telephone operator. During the war, she was a volunteer observer for the Aircraft Warning Service. On June 19, 1948, Bee married her sweetheart, Whit, thus beginning their lifelong journey together. Mom was the foundation of her family, supporting her husband as he developed his career, working side by side with him in their many horticultural pursuits including White’s Orchard & Gardens, and later Whit’s Orchard, all the while caring for and raising their two girls. Before moving to their permanent home in East Winthrop in 1958, she ran a “tourist home,” a version if our modern day bed and breakfast, from their home in Trenton. After her daughter, Sharon’s passing in 1970, she worked as bookkeeper for LaVerdiere’s Drugstore, Winthrop, and for several seasons at Longfellow’s Greenhouses, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of working alongside many mother-daughter teams. Mom’s greatest passion was her family and the time she could spend with them. She was a fun-loving, marvelous Mom who enjoyed many a shopping and traveling adventure with her daughter, Kathy. She and Whit traveled extensively during his career, resulting in lifelong friendships with folks from across the U.S., and in retirement they continued their enjoyment of travel in the U.S. and abroad. She especially enjoyed spending time at the family camp in Wayne, holiday and birthday celebrations at her daughter and son-in-law’s home and road trips to join the family at Tomhegan on Moosehead Lake. She adored her son-in-law, Bill and was a devoted “Gramma B” to her two grandsons, always eager and pleased to hear all about their activities and accomplishments. Bee was predeceased by her husband of 60 years; their daughter, Sharon Lee, whom she devoted her care to for 18 years; and her special pet, Missy Pooh. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Bill Brown; and grandsons, Paul and Rob of Mount Vernon; her brother and sister-in-law, Loring “Bud” and Joy Small of Surry; sister, Helen Lebares of Hampden; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim and Sue Hodgkins, and Elmer and Maureen Hodgkins, all of Trenton; sister-in-law, Jeanice Cousins of Billings, Mont.; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Sincere thanks to the wonderful and dedicated staff of Company C and staff throughout the Maine Veterans’ Home for their genuine concern, love and excellent tender-loving care, and to the residents and their families who extended such kindness to Mom. You all could make her day simply by asking, “Hi Bee, how are you today?” Thank you to all the kind and caring folks at Healthreach Hospice for your wonderful support; and special thanks to The Tourmalines Hospice singers for the beautiful songs you sang for Mom and us. You touched us deeply with your thoughtfulness and truly made her day a memory to cherish. Warm thanks to family and friends who so thoughtfully showed care and concern throughout the years to Mom and our family. You all hold a special place in our hearts. At Mom’s request, there will be no visiting hours. The family welcomes remembrances of Mom via e-mail or addressed to 809 Pond Road, Mount Vernon, ME 04352. A private graveside memorial will be held in the spring at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bee’s name to the following organizations near and dear to her heart: Pine Tree Camp of Maine, care of Pine Tree Society, P.O. Box 518, Bath, ME 04530 or Special Olympics of Maine, 125 John Roberts Road, Suite 19, South Portland, ME 04016. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. www.khrfuneralhomes.com How fortunate I’ve been to have you for my mother and my friend.
BERTHA (SMALL) HODGKINS
