Page 35 - Spring 2024

Class News, continued...

for the past 25 years. She is A Celebration of Life was obituary. of golf. He especially loved
the daughter of John and held in Arizona on February William James Hanson driving around Sussex County
Margaret Gildart. She is 24,2024. “With an abundance in his vintage 1933 Packard.
survived by her son, Matthew of patience, she had a special Husband of Former Dewey But most importantly, he was
Felker; 3 grandchildren - talent for teaching those with Beach Mayor a loyal friend, dedicated hus-
Megan, Sean, and Keira Felker; developmental challenges. William “Bill” James Hanson, band, a family man, and a true
and her two brothers - John Well into her 8th decade, 81, of Dewey Beach, passed animal lover.
Gildart and Michael Gildart. she worked as a long-term away peacefully in hospice Bill is predeceased by his par-
After graduating from HHS in substitute teacher for care on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, ents and seven siblings. He is
1960, she studied American students with special needs, after a long battle with survived by numerous neph-
& English Literature at Ricker often at the Arizona School Alzheimer’s disease. Bill was ews and nieces, many dear
College graduating in the for the Deaf and Blind.” born in Houlton, Maine, into a friends, and Tiffany, Mitch,
class of 1965. Donna Mae There are 50 of us left! Many family of 8 children headed by Levi, and Proverb Wright.
taught for over 30 years of our class hope we can get Clayton Hanson and Margaret
at HHS. “She believed in together in the summer of (Parkinson) Hanson. He grad- In lieu of flowers, please
the power of education to 2025 for our 65th reunion. uated from Houlton High and consider a contribution in
transform lives. She was Please write and email with Springfield Technical School Bill’s name to the Brandywine
always willing to go the extra ideas and suggestions. in Springfield, Mass. Valley SPCA. A celebration of
mile to help her students and After serving in the US Navy, life will be held in April.
mentees succeed, Donna Geneva Sharp Gove: Bob Barbara Bolton reports for
Mae’s passion for teaching Wiggins shared on their he wed Diane Charske in her class news with several
and commitment to students Christmas card that he 1973. He worked as a design sad pieces of information on
draftsman for decades for
made a lasting impact on the travelled to the Cleveland General Electric and Com- classmates that have passed
lives of countless individuals. Clinic to have a heart valve bustion Engineering. During away:
She had a natural inclination implanted saying it was over 50 years of married life, Editor’s Note: I told Barbara
to guide and support others, the only place he could get Bill and Diane lived in Con- that she had to stop reporting
often providing valuable it done. I asked for more necticut, Pennsylvania, and in if all she was going to do is
advice and encouragement. information because I have Delaware. For vacations they report on ’61 deaths. Sadly, the
While she may not have held an aortic valve replacement would charter a sailboat out class has had a recent rash of
an official title as a life coach, in the future. He had a TAVR of Newport, R.I. in summer deaths. Always hate to see this.
her wisdom and guidance (Transcatheter Aortic Valve
significantly impacted the Replacement) because he and hit the slopes in winter, And now, Jon, another ‘61
lives of those around her. had scar tissue from previous having skied all over the U.S., death to report---Ruthann
Europe, and Canada.
Donna Mae’s ability to uplift heart events. Mine is still on Van Tassel Leavitt-Grant. I
and inspire others will be watch for the future and will In 2006, Bill and Diane moved have no details.
remembered and cherished be done in Bangor. to Dewey Beach, Delaware. I am sorry to report that
by all those who knew her. Class of 1961 In the ensuing years, Bill Tessa McKay Albert died
“Donna Mae’s legacy as an Barbara McGillicuddy Bolton was forever dedicated and on February 3. Her obit is in
supportive of his wife who
educator and mentor will 385A 5th St. served as a Dewey Beach the Houlton Pioneer Times.
forever be remembered by Brooklyn, NY 11215 commissioner for ten years, in Condolences to Eula Malone
the Houlton community and (718) 788-2282 six of those years she was the Lorom, whom the obit lists as
all those whose lives she mcgillbolt@yahoo.com Town’s mayor. a special friend.
touched. Her unwavering Dover-Foxcroft - Elizabeth
dedication to fostering Diane Hanson, wife of William Bill was a mild-mannered in- “Betty” Thompson Beless,
growth and empowering Hanson, sadly reported to us: dividual with a great sense of 81, wife of the Rev. Ray Beless,
others will continue to inspire Bill Hanson, Class of 1961, fun. He was a dedicated Celt- passed away peacefully March
future generations.” has passed on. Attached is his ics Fan who enjoyed playing 3, 2024, at Northern Light
basketball and a good game

www.houltonalumni.com 35