ROCKLAND – Sue H. Bagnall, 77, died Saturday, March 12, 2011, at Windward Gardens, Camden, after a period of declining health. Born Nov. 20, 1933, in Fairfield, Ala., she was the daughter of Horace A. and Ida L. Hooper Havron.
She attended Wylam Elementary School and was a 1951 graduate of Ensly High School. While living in Birmingham, Ala., Sue was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, of which she served as chapter president and was once chosen as the sorority’s “Girl of the Year.” Sue’s first employment was the Barrett Division of Allied Chemical in Alabama, where she met the love of her life, Frederick C. Bagnall. They were married Oct. 22, 1960, at Martin Memorial Church, Birmingham, Ala., by the Rev. Charles Prestwood. As a wife, mother and grandmother, Sue devoted her life to creating a happy and laughter-filled home. Through her many stories of family history, she tied the generations together. When her three sons were young, she followed their sports activities and was active in the boosters clubs and Little League. Sue sometimes filled in as coach for her husband when his work took him out of town and also served as a counselor for Boy Scout troops. In her early 50s, Sue decided to return to college and graduated from Scott Community College, Davenport, Iowa. She took pride in her work as a legal secretary with a law firm in Davenport, Iowa. In support of her husband’s career, Sue lived in several locations until they retired to Thomaston in 1996. Fred and Sue celebrated their golden wedding anniversary this past fall. Sue’s faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior was evident in her service to the church. She was affiliated with churches in Martinsburg, W.Va.; Arbutus, Md.; and Bettendorf, Iowa. At the time of her death, Sue was a member of Thomaston Federated Church. Throughout the years, Sue served as co-advisor to the youth groups, taught Sunday school, and was Sunday school superintendent in Arbutus, Md. She also delivered an occasional sermon and was active in the women’s groups of several of the churches. While enjoying retirement, she tried never to miss the sporting events of her two grandsons, cheering them on, rain or shine. She particularly loved spending time with her family, crocheting and knitting.
In addition to her husband of 50 years, Frederick C. of Rockland, Sue is survived by three sons, Charlie Bagnall and his wife, Sherri, of Rockland, the Rev. Steve Bagnall and his wife, Jen, of Michigan, and the Rev. Michael Bagnall of South Dakota; two grandsons, Rick Bagnall and his wife, Alicia, of Rockland and Justin Bagnall of Rockland; two granddaughters, Anna and Paige Bagnall of Michigan; one great-grandson, Joshua Bagnall of Rockland; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Federated Church, 8 Hyler St., Thomaston. Spring interment will be at Achorn Cemetery, Rockland. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Sue’s memory to Federated Church, 8 Hyler St., Thomaston, ME 04861 or American Heart Association Inc., 51 U.S. Route One, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. To share a memory or story with Sue’s family, please visit her online guest book at
www.bchfh.com.