Eileen F. Gould, 90, longtime resident of Nobleboro, passed away on the afternoon of Feb. 14 at the Cove’s Edge Nursing Home in Damariscotta. Born in Nobleboro on Oct. 19, 1921, she was the daughter of William and Ruth (Genthner) French.
Eileen grew up in Nobleboro, attended local schools and graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1939. After school, she went to work at Bath Iron Works during WWII as a riveter. She would go on to work as a switchboard operator for the Nash Telephone Company in Damariscotta.
In 1953, she married Joseph F. Gould and together they would live in Damariscotta and Newcastle before making their home in Nobleboro. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro throughout her life, acting as Sunday School Teacher and Deaconess. She also helped with the ladies missionary society, vacation Bible school and many other voluntary positions at the church. She was also a member of the Nobleboro Grange for her entire life, and was a past member of the Damariscotta Women’s Club.
Her passion for animals and their care was exemplary. She never turned away a stray cat and placed great importance on the protection of wildlife and animal rights in this country and elsewhere. She cared extensively for her domestic pets and did not hesitate to help injured wildlife.
She is remembered for her extensive scrap booking and journaling throughout her entire life. Her journals were often used for a source of reference for dating past events. As a child of the Great Depression, she believed in living within your means and never had a mortgage payment, a credit card, loan payment or car payment. She remained faithful to paying cash for all things.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph F. Gould in 1977; granddaughter, Erika N. Gould in 2005; brother, Jascha L. French in 1974; and sister, Alda S. Elwell in 2004.
She is survived by son, Eric J. Gould and wife Lyndia, and grandchildren, Emily and Joseph of Jefferson; daughter, Ramona G. Whitaker and husband Kent of Nobleboro, and step-grandchildren, Stevenson and Katherine Whitaker; and son, Robie B. Gould and granddaughter, Anna V. Gould of Westford, Mass.; as well as a great-grandson, Liam S. Estabrook.
Time of visitation 4-6 p.m., Fri., Feb. 17 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Funeral 1 p.m., Sat., Feb. 18 at the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro. She will be laid to rest in the Dunbar Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro, PO Box 35, Nobleboro, ME 04555; or Lincoln County Animal Shelter, PO Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, Damariscotta.