Myrle Naomi Sargent Sproul, 95, of Boothbay Harbor, passed away quietly in her sleep on the morning of Sept. 8 after five years of being lost in the confusing world of Alzheimer’s.
Born April 27, 1915, she was the youngest of five children born to Everett and Daisy Pinkham Sargent. It was told she weighed only one pound at birth and could be held in one hand and was kept warm in the oven. Her mother Daisy died when Myrle was only five. Family members cared for her until she was old enough to fend for herself. She then kept house for her father and brothers for many years.
From a very young age Myrle worked many jobs including Sprucewald Lodge, Robinson Wharf & Bowling Alley, picking crab meat at night, head housekeeper at Oak Grove Hotel, the grammar school cafeteria and 15 years as bookkeeper / teller at Depositors Trust Bank, later Key Bank.
She was a member of the Methodist Church, an active participant in the Periwinkles Club and was involved in the popular shows and minstrels. She was also an extra during the filming of the movie “Carousel.”
In 1934 Myrle married Lowell H. Sproul. They resided in her family home in Boothbay Harbor.
In 1941 their only child, Craig, was born. She loved children and young people and was a Cub Scout den mother before Craig was old enough to join.
Picnics at Grimes Cove, Pemaquid, and Damariscove and on the rocks at the head of the Harbor were a must in the summer time. Her cream cheese, strawberry and walnuts sandwiches were famous.
April 16, 1971 she and Lowell moved to Dickers Cove in Southport in a restored house that had been moved from across the road.
Lowell passed away in 1984.
After retiring from the bank, Myrle continued taking care of her summer rental cottage and her house, now a rental.
Many a bus trip was enjoyed with the Senior Citizens. In 1986, she went on a once in a lifetime trip to the Middle East with Craig and family, including Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Greece.
There was nothing Myrle couldn’t do. She could knit, crochet, cook, ceramics, and grow African violets, all with great enthusiasm.
Myrtle is predeceased by her husband Lowell, who passed away in 1984.
At 95, she has outlived most close relatives and is survived by son, Craig of Southport; grandsons, Jason Sproul and wife Monica of Watertown, Mass., Erik Sproul of Boulder, Col.; their mother, Judy Sproul of East Boothbay; and “adopted daughter” Kay McPhee Brown.
Donations in her memory may be made to Maine Alzheimer’s Disease Association, Inc., Alzheimer’s Research, 170 U.S. Rt. 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105, or a charity of your choice.
Graveside service will be held at a date to be announced.
Condolences to the family may be made to Myrtle’s memorial web page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
