Jean A. Thistle, 77, of Bristol, passed away on Dec. 30, 2010 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, after a brief illness. Born in Salem, Mass. on Nov. 26, 1933, Jean later moved to Bristol where she lived with her parents, Arthur “Gary” Ellingwood, and his wife Dorothy, known to most as “Dot.”
Jean graduated from Bristol High School in 1951, and moved to Massachusetts, where she had three children from her first marriage – Robert A. Howard of Rochester, N.H., Terri L. Wiseman of Norwood, Mass. and Gary S. Howard of Foxboro, Mass.
Jean married Henry Thistle in 1977 and the couple lived in Foxboro for 15 years. During this time, Jean and Henry delighted in babysitting for grandchildren, as well as traveling periodically. Jean also volunteered at a local hospital. In 1992 they moved to Bristol where they enjoyed day trips, relaxing in the quiet of their backyard deck, and were regular attendees at the Wiscasset Senior Center.
She is survived by her husband, Henry, and her three children, as well as five grandchildren — Amy Burnham of Somersworth, N.H., Timothy Wiseman of Norwood, Mass., Daniel Wiseman of Norwood, Mass., Sarah Howard of Foxboro, Mass. and Nicholas Howard of Foxboro, Mass.; great-grandson, Andrew of Somersworth, N.H.; son-in-law, Edward Wiseman of Norwood; daughter-in-law, Katherine of Foxboro; and several cousins.
Visiting hours 12-1 p.m., Sat., Jan. 8 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta, with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Jean will be laid to rest at the Bristol Mills Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or by online access at www.alzfdn.org.
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, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
