Hortense Burleigh, 95, of Edgecomb, passed away Feb. 22 at Hillhouse Assisted Living in Bath.
Born Nov. 7, 1911, in Boston, Mass., ‘Tense’ was the daughter of Frederick and Lida (Ourish) Burleigh.
She graduated from Girls Latin High School, and in 1934, graduated from Simmons College in Boston where she studied dietetics.
She was employed as an assistant dietitian at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., immediately following graduation. But she was best known for her many years as head dietitian at Wheelock College in Boston, Mass., where she met many of her life-long friends and traveling companions. Tense retired from Wheelock in 1974.
A woman of uncommon intelligence and old-fashioned grace, Tense always loved traveling and meeting new people in far-off lands. She especially enjoyed staying each winter on Nevis in the West Indies. She also enjoyed her many visits to England and traveling with friends throughout Europe and even the Soviet Union.
While she enjoyed boating and antiquing, Tense most loved her unique Maine cottage where she made everyone feel at home, no matter when they dropped by or for how long they intended to stay.
Memories of wonderful home-cooked meals, countless hours of discussion about food, the theater, traveling, and old friends are still fond memories for many of her friends and acquaintances.
Tense will be sorely missed by anyone who ever knew her, and her loss will be shared among many individuals from Maine to Cape Cod, Mass., and from Boston, Mass. to Nevis. She was truly one of a kind.
She is survived by one niece, Gretchen Burleigh-Johnson and husband John of Edgecomb; and one great-nephew, Oleg P. Johnson of Edgecomb.
Celebration of her life will be held this summer at her home in Edgecomb.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Philips Episcopal Church, Hodge St., Wiscasset, ME 04578, or Development Office, Wheelock College, 200 The Riverway, Boston, MA 02215.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mayo & Daigle Funeral Home, 40 Federal St., Wiscasset.
