Madene Sweeney Nichols passed away on Feb. 15.
She was born to Peter J. and Frances Miller Sweeney on Aug. 28, 1918.
Madene spent her young life in Kittery, but her most prominent memories of her youth were those weeks spent each summer on her maternal grandparents’ farm in Waldoboro. She loved the outdoor life, helping her grandfather Miller milking and haying with her cousin Leland.
Madene attended Traipp Academy in Kittery, where she played saxophone in the band. She graduated valedictorian at age 16 in 1934, and attended Bates College. She majored in chemistry, graduating in 1939. She remained keenly interested in reading the Bates magazine and the alumni newsletters until her death a few days ago.
Her first job was in the lab at Maine General Hospital in Portland. She enjoyed living in Portland and it was there where she met her future husband, a doctor, Arthur Ames Nichols. They married on June 28, 1947, and lived in Wiscasset where Arthur had a general practice for many years.
In 1955, Madene, Arthur, and their family of six moved to an old house in Edgecomb. This house and lovely spot became her lifelong love, task and anchor. Here she became interested in colonial architecture and restoration.
When Madene’s husband, Arthur, died in 1966, she and her home became the center of her children’s world. She welcomed all their friends, acquaintances, spouses and grandchildren throughout her life with smiles, warmth and generosity. Her good humor, grace and love were remarked upon by all who knew her.
At age 49, Madene needed to support her family so she began a new career. With remarkable strength and drive she earned a second degree in special education and went on to teach at the Edgecomb School on Cross Point Road, and later at Dresden Elementary School.
She was proud of her accomplishments, and very fond of the children whom she met and worked with, and spoke of many great times successes long after her retirement in 1984.
Her passion for gardening, cooking, and reading; her children and grandchildren; and friends filled her days following her retirement. She truly enjoyed starting seeds each spring and was particularly successful at this endeavor.
She was active in the Wiscasset Historical Society, the Edgecomb Historical Society, and served as a member of the Edgecomb Planning Board in its early years. She also participated in many community and adult education courses such as weaving, rug making, chair caning, and furniture refinishing, and landscape design.
She was predeceased by a son, Azel Taylor Nichols, born in 1950 and died in 1969; and brother, Richard Sweeney who died in 1980.
Madene is survived by five children, Peter and friend Joan Day of Edgecomb, Joel and wife Thessy Scheonholzer Nichols of San Giovanni Maggiore, Italy, Darrell Nichols of Edgecomb, Arthur and wife Juanita of South Freeport, and Jane Nichols-Ecker and husband Jamie of Brunswick; grandchildren, Chessell McGee, Joshua and Elia Nichols, Daniella Cameron, Katherine and Ceri Nichols, and Avery and Alwyn Ecker; one great-grandchild, Ruby Cameron, born Feb. 17, 2007; nephews and a niece in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area who are children of her late brother, Richard Sweeney; and a large number of relatives in the Waldoboro area, including descendents of Lena and Lewellyn Miller of North Waldoboro Road.
Celebration of her life 2 p.m., Sat., March 3 at the Edgecomb Town Hall.
A burial service will be held in the spring at the family cemetery at Parsons Creek, Edgecomb.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The New England Wildflower Society/ Garden in The Woods, 180 Hemenway Rd., Framingham MA 01701, or MPBN, 65 Texas Ave., Bangor, ME 04401.
