HOLDEN – Hughene Ruth Phillips Hale, 90, died Sept. 7, 2011. Born Nov. 17, 1920, Hughene, who was named after a favorite uncle, Hugh, was the eldest daughter of M. Albert and Chrystal Frances Phillips.
She grew up on the family farm with her two sisters, Dorothy, who predeceased her, and Eleanor. While a young woman she lived through the Great Depression, graduated valedictorian of her high school class and summa cum laude in English from the University of Maine. During World War II Hughene was employed as a civilian message decoder in Washington, D.C. While there, she witnessed the funeral procession of Franklin D. Roosevelt. After working several years as a social worker, Hughene married Clarence Adelbert Hale, a World War II veteran, in 1952. They first settled in Medway, then East Millinocket where they raised their four children, Marcus, Robert, Chrystal and Martha. Widowed in 1966, Hughene moved back to the family farm in 1973, where she finished raising her children. She returned to the work-force at the age of 55, first working for Displaced Homemakers, then the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, retiring at 74 from Comprehensive Rehabilitation Associates. Hughene was a voracious reader, gardener extraordinaire, loving mother and friend, and as she wanted said about her, “she kept her barn up.”
Hughene was predeceased by her husband, Clarence, in 1966; and her son, Marcus, in 2009. She is survived by her son, Robert and his wife, Cheryl; daughters, Chrystal Hale and Martha Horne and her husband, Patrick; her grandchildren, whom she adored, Lucas and his wife, Emily Hale, M. Benjamin and his wife, Samantha Hale, Colleen and her husband, Andrew Marsteller, Lydia Horne and Molly Horne; great-grandchildren, Harper and Autumn Hale; sister, Eleanor David; a wonderful extended family and many dear friends.
A celebration of Hughene’s life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Holden United Church of Christ, Holden Congregational, with Interim Pastor Leslie Chatfield officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the church after the service. Those who wish to remember Hughene in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Holden Congregational Church, P.O. Box 309, Holden, ME 04429. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.