MEXICO – Beatrice Gertrude “Bea” Haines, 86, last surviving member of her immediate family, died at home on the Swift River Road, Mexico, June 18, after a recent illness with her family by her side.

She was born May 19, 1921, in Bay du Vin, New Brunswick, Canada, to Seymour and Emily (Williston) Williston, the last of 14 children.

After her husband’s death, she was employed at Joy’s Sales and Service from 1957 until its closing in 1983. Subsequently she worked at Rumford Community Hospital until her retirement in 1990 at the age of 69.

Bea was a member of the Rumford Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1965, and spent many happy hours sharing her love for the Bible’s promises with friends, family and neighbors. She was dearly loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

She was very talented, doing exquisite handwork including knitting, crocheting, quilting, embroidery, and in her later years taking up oil painting, charcoal sketching, as well as working in stained glass. She loved gardening and had breathtaking flowers. She also enjoyed cake decorating and was an excellent cook.

She was married at Hardwick Parish, Northumberland County, New Brunswick on Nov. 20, 1946, to the late Allan Hudson Haines, who died in Mexico, on July 17, 1956.

Survivors include a daughter, Dinah Ellen Haines of Rumford; two sons, David Allan Haines, and his wife, Trudy, of Lewiston and Richard Leigh Haines of Bangor; two grandchildren, Laura Crockett, and husband, John and Andrew Haines, all of Lewiston; two great-grandchildren, Julianna and Justin Crockett of Lewiston; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of M4 for their care, and special thanks to Erin Pendexter for her excellent care and compassion.