FALMOUTH – Ella S. Astle died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Skilled Care Center at The Cedars, Portland. Ella was born Nov. 2, 1916, in Millinocket, daughter of Mitchell J. and Julia M. (Albert) Simond. She graduated from Stearns High School in 1934 and from Farmington Normal School in 1937. While teaching elementary school in Crystal, Ella met and married Fenton “Penny” Astle and lived in Island Falls for 24 years working as a beautician and as a librarian for the town library. She was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. She moved to Bangor in 1962 and worked in the accounting office at the local S.S. Kresge/K-Mart until her retirement in 1981. She moved to Falmouth in 1994 to be closer to her family. Ella was an avid Boston Celtic and Red Sox fan, seldom missing a game on TV and keeping scoring statistics into her 90s. She lived to see both teams again become world champions. She was also the official cheerleader of “Ella’s Girls,” a bowling team in Westbrook, and a friend to all at the alley. Ella was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Penny, 49, who died in 1959; and two brothers, Emile, 23, who died in 1943, and Peter, 55, who died in 1966. She is survived by her son, Fredric Astle and his wife, Janis, of Cumberland Foreside; grandson, F. Jay Astle and his wife, Rebecca Lincoln, of Rockland; granddaughter, Karyl Astle Hazard and her husband, James “Jaime,” of Falmouth; great-grandchildren, Caton, Lauren and Jake Hazard of Falmouth; former daughter-in-law, Karen Astle Richards of Scarborough; and two special nieces, Betty Astle Harris of Lewiston and Ann Simond Cyr of Millinocket. Ella and her family send thanks to the nurses and staff at the rehabilitation center and Skilled Care Center at The Cedars, Portland, for their kindness and loving care during the past two months. She sends special thanks and love to her daughter-in-law, Janis Astle – her caregiver, housekeeper, chauffeur, hairdresser, companion and best friend for her 15 years in Falmouth. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 24, at Jones, Rich & Hutchings Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. Burial will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Island Falls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Katahdin Public Library, Island Falls, ME 04747.
ELLA S. ASTLE
