CUSHING – Louise Browning James “Jimmie” Rockwell, 92, died Sunday, May 10, 2009, surrounded by her family at Quarry Hill, Camden. A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Jimmie lived a remarkable life. She was born Oct. 8, 1916, in East Aurora, N.Y., to Elizabeth Browning James and Merle Davis James. Jimmie spent her early years in western New York and attended Syracuse University. After her marriage to Dudley W. Rockwell in June 1937, she moved to Hingham, Mass., and then to West Hartford, Conn. In 1974 Jimmie and Dud retired to their beloved Bird Point, Cushing, where they happily spent the rest of their lives. Jimmie and Dud loved the outdoors. They taught their children to ski and to enjoy the natural world. She organized a two and a half-month camping trip to Alaska in the mid-1950s that led to many often-told family stories and instilled a love of nature in her children. The quintessential volunteer, she devoted tremendous energy and time to the service of others. Jimmie was also very committed to community service. Throughout her life, she devoted 65 years of service to the Red Cross. She began her career as a volunteer in high school as a member of the Junior Red Cross. During World War II, she served as a Red Cross Grey Lady, working with a blind rehabilitation unit in Avon, Conn. Jimmie served as chair for several annual Junior League fundraisers known as the Follies. Active in the Hartford Area League of Women voters, she lectured throughout Connecticut and was vice chair of West Hartford (Conn.) YMCA. After moving to Maine, she continued to take great pride in her volunteer work and served for many years with the Penobscot Chapter of the American Red Cross. Jimmie and Dud were instrumental in establishing emergency “red phones” in the town of Cushing to connect with Thomaston’s 911 system. She also served for several years on the town planning board in Cushing. Jimmie loved to travel, visiting many wonderful places such as Tahiti, New Zealand, Alaska and Europe. She had a special affinity for Wales, her ancestral homeland. She lived a full life; she was a great cook, an avid reader and an accomplished painter. She loved her flower gardens, birds and her cat, Squeaker. She enjoyed looking out at the ocean and visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They affectionately referred to her as “Busybee.” She leaves a large and loving family full of warm memories. Her determination, sense of humor, and devotion to her family and community are a wonderful legacy. Jimmie was predeceased by her husband of almost 70 years, Dudley “Dud” W. Rockwell in 2006; and her sister, Gwendolyn James Cook in 2007. She is survived by her sister, Betsy James Wyeth of Chadds Ford, Pa., and Cushing; her son, David and his wife, Bonnie, of Suffield, Conn.; her three daughters, Betsy Bartholomew and her husband, Mark, of Tenants Harbor and Seward, Alaska, Merle Rockwell and her husband, Edward Modell, of Queenstown, Md., and Joan Rockwell and her husband, Bill Austin, of Colrain, Mass.; grandchildren, Jennifer Rockwell, Geoffrey Rockwell, Jed Rockwell, Hillary Cahn, John Bidwell, James Bidwell, Andrew Waldeck, Stephanie Mikles, Matthew Waldeck, Pia Shea and Nicholas Weigel; and 13 great-grandchildren. Private, family reflections of her life will be held at Norton Cemetery, Cushing. A memorial celebration of Louise’s life will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Cushing Broad Cove Church, Pleasant Point Road, Cushing. Memorial donations in Louise’s memory may be made to Friends of Cushing Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 20, Cushing, ME 04563. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall & Bibber Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 78 Main St., Thomaston. Sympathies to the family may be expressed through hallbibber@myfairpoint.net.
LOUISE BROWNING (JAMES) ROCKWELL
