Elaine Crook Hatch, 93, passed away on the afternoon of Oct. 11, 2019 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, with her husband David by her side. Born on Jan. 3, 1926 in Boston, Mass., she was the daughter of Wilson B. and Ruth (Shaw) Crook.
Moving to Maine at the age of 7, she was a graduate of Bristol High School in 1944. That summer, she married David S. Hatch, a U.S. Marine serving in World War II. After raising her family, Elaine was employed by the Cricket Shop in Damariscotta for 11 years.
She was an active member of the Damariscotta Baptist Church for over 65 years. An avid landscape gardener, she loved nature and being outdoors. For many years, she enjoyed family camping, mountain hiking and backpacking with her husband in Baxter State Park, and climbing all the highest mountains in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
In her later years, she enjoyed traveling and fulfilling a life-long dream in 1989 of an African Safari in Kenya and Tanzania. This was followed by several trips to Europe, England, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, and Egypt.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Wilson B. Crook Jr., and Robert Crook; as well as a grandson, Jamison Searles Hinck.
She is survived by her husband of 75 years, David S. Hatch; two sons, Richard Hatch of Nobleboro, and Mark Hatch of Damariscotta; two daughters, Susan Dunphey of Nobleboro, and Rebecca Hinck of New Harbor; a sister, Patricia Benner of Bristol; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home in Damariscotta.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro, 8 Back Meadow Road, Nobleboro, ME 04555.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting StrongHancock.com.
