Beverly M. (Miller) Hancock, 83, of Nobleboro and Gorham, passed away peacefully, July 28 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.
She was born, by caesarean section in her grandparents’ living room in Nobleboro on June 9, 1927 to Nelson Carter Hancock and Leola Chaput Hancock.
She attended the local Nobleboro one-room school house and later graduated from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Class of 1944. Beverly continued her education at the Maine School of Commerce. After completing three years of business school she taught business education at the Erskine Academy in South China, specializing in typing, shorthand and office practices. After 17 years at Erskine, she taught business education at Freeport High School where she met the love of her life, LTC Douglas Hague, long-time chapter treasure when he was a member of the 100th State Legislature. While teaching in Freeport, she completed her business degree at USM. Beverly truly enjoyed her 41 years of teaching and during her career she was named Maine Business Educator of the Year and in the following year she was named Maine Vocational Educator of the Year.
During summer vacation Bev managed the dining room of Cheechako for 26 summers.
She was the secretary-treasurer of the MOWW (Military Officers Association of World Wars), an honorary member and treasurer of the MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) for 20 years which the members were quoted as saying, “it took five men to do her job,” she was the secretary-treasurer and only woman in the United States to be an honorary member of the Sojourners, member of the Cumberland County Retired Educators Assoc., the Cumberland County College Club, the Portland Stage Lunch Girls, Nobleboro Historical Society and scholarship committee and The First Baptist Church of Nobleboro.
Beverly managed funds, bequeathed by a woman who as a child was never allowed to have pets, to spay or neuter animals of needy owners.
For over 25 years, Beverly and Douglas enjoyed their cottage at Fortunes Rock in Biddeford Pool where they entertained family and friends, treating them to good company, seafood and spirits. No one ever left hungry.
While Douglas was a Colonel, Beverly joined him on his European NATO trips, Sweden being their favorite.
Beverly, always a caring, thoughtful, selfless woman, cared for her mother in older years, rarely leaving her bedside and during Douglas’ declining health spent her time making sure he was comfortable.
Most of all, Bev loved spending time with her family and friends, she loved her students, traveling, gardening, her many organizations and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Only a few weeks ago, Beverly took a spin on her friend’s German made, Russian designed motorcycle.
She was predeceased by her companion, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Hague in 1999.
Survivors include her brother, Bud Hancock and wife Joan of Nobleboro; nephew, Tom Hancock of Nobleboro; niece, Britt Hatch and husband Josh of Nobleboro; great-nephews, Sam Hancock and his fiancée Lindsey Plummer of South Portland, Ross Pushard of Nobleboro, and Joel Hatch of Nobleboro; great-nieces, Beth Hancock of Boothbay Harbor, and Anna Mae Hancock of Nobleboro; cousin, Tim Key of Winthrop, Mass.; and close friend, Rena Heath of Hallowell.
Visiting hours 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Sun., Aug. 1 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Celebration of Beverly’s life 11 a.m., Mon., Aug. 2 at the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro with Pastor Bob Wyand offociating. Burial will follow at the Dunbar-Knowlton Cemetery in Nobleboro with a reception to follow at Lakehurst, Egypt Rd., Damariscotta.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Beverly’s memory may be made to the Erskine Academy Alumni Fund, 309 Windsor Rd., China, ME 04358.
Condolences to the family may be at hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
