PITTSFIELD – Pathena “Tina” Homstead, 92, passed away peacefully Dec. 4, 2011, at her home. She was born June 19, 1919, in Benton Station, daughter of Ralph and Lola (Moreau) Barton.
She attended schools in Clinton and Fairfield, and was a 1937 graduate of Lawrence High School. She married Frank “Bud” Homstead, July 18, 1937, in Newport, and in 1939 they moved from Pittsfield to North Anson and started a general store that they owned and operated for eleven years. In 1952, they returned to Pittsfield and in the next year they founded and operated Bud’s, which later grew to be Bud’s Shop ‘n Save supermarkets in Newport, Pittsfield, Dexter and briefly Wilton. They retired from the business in 1985. First and foremost in her life was her family and she enjoyed being involved in all facets of their lives. In her younger years, Tina was a Brownie leader, a Cub Scout leader and helped organize and lead Juvenile Jockey 4-H Club. Throughout the years family visits, gatherings and holidays were the highlight of her life. The sight of one of her children would bring a smile to her face right up until the end of her life. She also enjoyed community involvement and was a 50-year member of Minerva Chapter No. 74, Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member of Sebasticook Valley Hospital Auxiliary, and former member of Arts Club, Wren’s Club and Sunshine Club for Children.
Tina was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Frank “Bud” Homstead; sisters, Dorothy Damren and Lavina Waddell; brother, Ralph Barton; and nephews, Wayne Barton and George Damren. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Cote of Pittsfield; son, James Homstead and wife, Marcia, of Augusta; son, Dean Homstead of Pittsfield; granddaughter, Kathy Ray and husband, Frank, of Somerville, Mass.; grandson, Kurt Cote and wife, Kate, of Falmouth; granddaughter, Lindsay McGriff and husband, Ryan, of Augusta; stepgrandchildren, Patty and David Levesque of Augusta; great-grandsons, Frankie Ray of Somerville, Mass., and Andrew Homstead Cote of Falmouth; special nephew and niece, Ralph Damren of Old Town and Linda Bickford of Pittsfield; nieces, Joy Higgins of Oakland, Joan Porter of Jackson, Debora Brooks of Burnham and Nancy Crocker of Exeter; nephew, Wayne Harris of Augusta; and special cousins, Sally and Jerry Withee of Palmyra and Dorothy Bradford of Hartland. The family thanks Sherry Perry, Barbara Wade and all the other wonderful ladies for the great care and comfort they provided to Tina while she remained at home.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, with an OES ceremony beginning 7 p.m. at Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, with the Rev. Scott Jones officiating. There will be a time of refreshment after the service at the funeral home. A private family committal service will be after the gathering. Should friends desire, donations in Tina’s memory may be made to Sebasticook Valley Hospital, 447 North Main St., Pittsfield, ME 04967. To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit
www.shoreynichols.com.