Frances Hawkes Hale, 83, of Boothbay Harbor, passed away Aug. 14 at her home.
Born April 3, 1928 in Gorham, Fran was the daughter of the late Lincoln and Gertrude Irish Hawkes. She was one of six children raised on the family farm in Gorham during the Great Depression and WWII.
She was a graduate of the Gorham Normal School, now known as the University of Southern Maine, where she earned her teaching credentials. There she met Don Hale, and they were married in the evening on the day they graduated from Gorham State Teachers College in June 1952. Don was immediately drafted into the Ordnance Corps and sent to Alaska where Fran joined him. Later they went west again for graduate school and received their Master of Arts degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. As the first husband and wife team to receive M.A.s together, the college newspaper featured a photo and story about them with their daughter.
The Hales moved to Massachusetts where Fran continued her teaching career at Meadowbrook School. Their son joined the family when they lived in Lincoln before moving to Weston. Upon returning once again to Maine, they lived in Cumberland. She taught in Portland before being hired as the first Director of Special Education in Cumberland. Fran was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship and spent a year traveling the world searching for the best ideas to improve early intervention services for children with special needs. S.A.D. #51 sponsored her application for a federal grant for the creation of “Project Maine Stream.” The program was offered to all preschool children with a host of disabilities from the Greater Portland area. She guided an extensive group of educators, therapists and parents to help children acquire the skills to become successful within the normal population. Fran then served as an administrator in Yarmouth and as the Superintendent of Schools in Falmouth and Pownal until her retirement and move to Boothbay Harbor.
She began volunteering at St. Andrews Hospital in the late 80s, first in the Gregory Wing and subsequently serving in almost every area of the hospital and the Family Care Center. She recently gave the Auxiliary a generous donation for its Scholarship Fund as a way of thanking the hospital and its staff for the outstanding medical care provided to her and her husband for over 24 years.
Fran and Don loved living on the Atlantic Ocean where they spent a great deal of time on their many boats. Their cottage on Sebago Lake was a favorite place where family and friends gathered for many summer outings. Fran was an avid gardener. She generously shared her famous pickles which were enjoyed by all who knew her. Music was a deep passion for Fran who sang and played the piano. She was in her element when she was cooking an enormous meal for one of the many parties or events that she had meticulously planned. In July, a Celebration of Life, Family and Friendships was held in her honor. She was very grateful to be able to share the day surrounded by friends and family members – some of whom had traveled across the country to attend.
Her children and grandchildren were Grammie’s greatest pride and joy. She always found a way to make life better and easier for her family. She had a life-long habit of nurturing and improving the life of those around her.
She is survived by her husband and best friend of 59 years, Donald of Boothbay Harbor; daughter, Sonia Lee Hale-Waterman of Cumberland; son, Robert Hale and wife Joyce of Cumberland; grandchildren, Alexandra Hale-Waterman and Molly, Keegan and Bradyn Hale, all of Cumberland; brother, Robert Hawkes, of Boxford, Mass.; and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and cousins.
Contributions in her honor may be made to the St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, PO Box 202, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos and tributes with the Hale family by visiting their Book of Memories as www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
