WHITNEYVILLE – Imogene P. Leighton, 83, died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, with her loving family by her side at a Bangor health care facility. She was born June 8, 1927, in Whitneyville, the beloved daughter of Evelyn P. Landry, Edwin J. and Julia Triffett Palmer.
She attended local schools and graduated from Machias High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1944. In 1945 she married Julian B. Leighton in Whitneyville, where together they made their home and raised their family. Imo, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, started her working career as a teller at Eastern Trust Bank, Machias. She then went to work as a bookkeeper for Quoddy Lumber Co., Dead River Oil Co., and finally retiring from Ellsworth Builders Supply after many years of service. Unable to remain idle in her retirement she worked part time as a hostess and bookkeeper at Whitehouse Restaurant, Jonesboro. She was very active in Whitneyville Congregational Church, where she was a lifelong member, a member of the Machias and Whitneyville Cemetery associations, and an active member of Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary. In her later years, her greatest enjoyment came from the time she spent surrounded by her grandchildren.
Imogene was predeceased by her husband, Julian; a daughter, Julia Ann Green; and two sisters, Arlene Shepley and Helen Stacey. She is survived by three daughters, Laurie Ann and husband, Ronny Hayward, of Marshfield, Sue Ellen and husband, Jeffrey Dowling, of Hermon and Bethany L. and husband, Roger Condon, of Phippsburg; three grandchildren, Meghan Hayward of Brewer, Ryan Hayward of Roque Bluffs and Molly Hanscom of Phippsburg; one brother, Edwin Landry of Bangor; many special nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at Longfellow Cemetery, Court Street, Machias, with the Rev. Betty Duzen officiating. Those who wish may make contributions in Imogene’s memory to Whitneyville Congreagational Church, care of Carol Ann Smith, 14 Jonesboro Heights, Apt. 5, Jonesboro, ME 04648.