TRENTON and BANGOR – Laura Driskell Hartt, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep July 1, 2012, at Collier’s Nursing Home, Ellsworth. Laura was born March 3, 1927, in Portland, and grew up on a farm with a loving Christian foster family in Bridgton from age 3.
Laura met her future husband, Lawrence “Larry” Hartt of Bangor at Advent Christian Camp meeting in Mechanic Falls when she was age 12. Laura was valedictorian of Bridgton High School, class of 1945. She knew from an early age she wanted to be a nurse. Laura enlisted in the Army Corps Nursing division right after high school. She attended the Bangor Campus as Portland was full. Laura reconnected with Larry while attending nursing school. They married in 1948 and raised a family at their Stillwater Avenue home in Bangor. Laura worked at Bangor General Hospital, now Eastern Maine Medical Center her whole 47-year nursing career as a general duty nurse, ward nurse, nurse supervisor and staffing coordinator. Laura worked in several wards including the pediatric ward, but primarily spent her time on the substance abuse ward. Laura was a devoted Christian and a member of the Essex Street Baptist Church family. Laura had a great love of music, especially the old hymns. Laura loved to play the piano, but singing was her passion. She as a member of the church choir at Calvary Baptist Church, Brewer and Essex Street Baptist Church, Bangor, during her lifetime. Laura was a loving mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her and was touched by her warmth, caring, humor and beautiful smile.
Laura is survived by her son, Kenneth and wife, Karen Hartt, of Trenton; daughter, Susan and husband, David Perez, of Trenton, N.J.; and three grandchildren, Angela Hartt of Dracut, Mass., Jeremy Hartt of Prescott Valley, Ariz., and Guadalupe Perez of Trenton, N.J.
A private burial is planned for early fall at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Laura loved animals and had a house full most of the time. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be sent to Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund – Downeast at Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Arrangements by Greenlawn Funeral Directors, Bangor.