PORTLAND, Ore. – Jane Hilton Mealy departed this life Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, in Portland, Ore., surrounded by her four daughters. She was born and raised in Bangor, daughter of Florence and William Hilton, who was a well-known paper and pulp executive and public servant in Bangor.
After graduating from Bangor High School in 1945, Jane attended Bradford Junior College and graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She returned to Bangor and was employed at Eaton Tarbell & Associates. She married Judson Mealy, in 1950. During the course of the next 55 years of marriage, Jane and Jud raised four daughters, Melinda, Ann Rogers, Joan and Martha, and lived in Garden City, N.Y., Sandusky, Ohio, Indianapolis and Grand Rapids, Mich. Two years ago, Jane moved to Portland, Ore., from Rockford, Mich., where she and Jud had lived since 1986. Jane was a quietly creative force in a multitude of service-related volunteer activities in every community in which she resided. In Rockford, Mich., that included being on the board of Krause Memorial Library and many hours at North Kent Service Center, as well as dedicated service within the Episcopal church and active membership in Collector’s Club. Her daughters and their families treasure the memory of Jane and Jud dancing to the music of Benny Goodman – her feet barely touching the ground. Also treasured are memories of daily walks in many places and any kind of weather. Watercolor painting – at which she excelled, golf and gardening were other favorite outdoor pastimes. Jane’s artistic gifts and commitment to serving her family and the larger community sustained her during her life. Her painting will sustain those she leaves behind, continuing to show us a lyrical and beautiful way to look at the world. She will be missed.
In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her brother, Thomas Hilton of Boothbay Harbor.
Private services were held in Portland, Ore. In the spring, a celebration of Jane’s life will be held in her beloved state of Maine for all those who knew and loved her. Contributions in her name may be sent to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Krause Memorial Library or North Kent Service Center, Rockford, Mich.