FRANCES HAMILTON BISHOP

PRESQUE ISLE – Frances Hamilton Bishop died of natural causes Saturday, May 8, 2010, at The Aroostook Medical Center, Presque Isle. She was born June 5, 1915, in Mars Hill, the third of nine daughters born to Frank Colbrook Hamilton and Ella Valie (Carpenter) Hamilton. Frances was educated in the grade schools of Mars Hill and Westfield, and graduated from Aroostook Central Institute in 1932. She furthered her education at Aroostook Sate Normal School, graduating with a degree in education. She taught grade school for several years, mostly in one-room schoolhouses in Robinson, Presque Isle and Mars Hill. On May 1, 1942, she married James Alden Bishop Sr. of Presque Isle, after he had graduated from Bowdoin College in 1938 and Columbia Law School in 1941. Her husband became a naval officer and captain of a PT boat in the South Pacific during World War II. They spent time in Portland before that when he was a naval intelligence officer. On April 25, 1949, she gave birth to her only daughter, Elizabeth Joan Bishop, now of New Gloucester, who survives her with her husband, Peter Hazlett. On Oct. 19, 1944, she gave birth in Presque Isle to twin sons, attorney Frank H. Bishop Sr., who survives her with his wife, Barbara Bishop, and James Alden Bishop Jr., who survives her along with his wife, Peggy Bishop. They did not see their father for more than a year when his commitment to military service ended. Mr. Bishop was a lawyer in Presque Isle for many years and served in the legislature from 1964-1966 as chairman of House Appropriations Committee. He later became a justice of Maine Superior Court and predeceased her in 1977. Frances greatly enjoyed traveling around the state with her husband during those years, meeting many members of the judiciary branch and their spouses. They enjoyed their cottage at Portage Lake for many years. Frances was also a devoted member of St. John Episcopal Church, Presque Isle, for many years. Frances was extremely devoted to her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Dr. James Edward Bishop of Georgia, Michelle Koenig of Carrabassett Valley, and her husband, David Koenig, attorney Frank H. Bishop Jr. of Portland and his wife, Annie, and his stepdaughter, Wilhamenia, Bradford Harrison Bishop of North Carolina and his wife, Sara, Nicole Hazlett of New Gloucester, Marigan Frances Bishop of Portland, and Joseph Alden Bishop, currently teaching in Seoul, Korea. She had three great-grandchildren, Noah Koenig of Carrabassett Valley, Charlie Koenig, also of Carrabassett Valley and Henry Hamilton Bishop of Portland. She always thought of others before herself and was an unselfish, loving woman to the core. She is survived by three of her eight sisters, Betty Lytle of Florida, Linda Boyd of Mars Hill and her husband, Norris, and Amy Jane Kneeland of Robinson and her husband, Paul Kneeland. In addition to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sisters, many nieces and nephews survive her. A special niece, Maurine Hamilton of Washburn, devoted much her time to Frances’ care taking in her latter years. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her sisters, Emeline Morse and her husband, Tom, Majorie Shaw and her husband, Murray, Joan Wells, Luna Kiley and her husband, Leo, and Mary Cumming and her husband, Morrison; and a brother-in-law, Lloyd Lytle. Frances had many friends throughout the course of her life, many now deceased. She was very close to her neighbors on Barton Street, including, but not limited to, Helen McLellan, Ruth Smith, Darryl Casavant, Glena McEacheran and Greta Robinson. Nellie Knox of Presque Isle was her housekeeper for many years and paid very special attention to Frances after she moved into assisted living. She received excellent care from Earla Russ of Elder Care of Aroostook and the wonderful staff at Leisure Village. There will be no formal funeral services or calling hours. There will be a committal/memorial service at her gravesite at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, where she will rest in peace beside the love of her life. A date will be publicly announced. All family and friends are warmly welcomed to attend. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes may make a contribution to St. John Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 8, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.