ORONO – Evangeline Beal Toothaker, 94, formerly of Phillips and Brewer and wife of the late James E. Toothaker, died Friday, July 7, at Dirigo Pines Retirement Community.

Evangeline was born Oct. 9, 1911, in Avon, one of five children born to Sumner and Blanche (Smith) Beal. She attended Avon and Phillips schools, then graduated from Farmington Normal School. She was an elementary school teacher in local schools.

Evangeline and her husband owned and operated a Red and White grocery store while raising three children. Following James’ death in 1965, she continued to operate the grocery until returning to University of Maine at Farmington to obtain qualification to resume her teaching career. She enjoyed teaching her first-graders in Phillips until retiring in 1977.

Following retirement, she traveled with friends and family and devoted herself to her children and grandchildren and her church. She was a member of the DAR. Her talents were numerous and included quilting, gardening, cross-stitching, knitting and rug braiding. As recently as 2004, Evangeline was still knitting caps for hospitals to provide to newborns.

Evangeline is survived by one son, Bruce Toothaker and his wife, Anne, of Schenectady, N.Y., two daughters, Jane and her husband, Franklin Hinckley, of Brewer, and Martha and her husband, Ray Souza of Westford, Mass.; a brother, Richard Beal and his wife, Thelma, of Avon; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Beal of Gardiner; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Phebe; and brothers, Horace and Theodore.

The family wishes to acknowledge the care and kindness of the staff at Dirigo Pines.