1957 – 2012

AUBURN — Ruth Ellen O’Brien-Hamel, 55, of Auburn, passed away Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin.

Born in Lewiston on June 24, 1957, the daughter of James and Carol (Drake) Hunnewell, she was a graduate of ELHS, Class of 1975. She then attended Husson College.

She was a member of the Pinecone Liberty Lodge of Eastern Star No. 26 and Rebekah’s. Ruth was a beekeeper, an excellent seamstress, and she also enjoyed flower gardening and was a “Jackie of all trades.” She will be remembered for working very hard and would help anyone at any time. She was a senior auditor for the United States Department of Defense.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Hamel of Auburn; a son, Sean O’Brien and his wife, Alyssya, of Durham, two daughters, Jennifer Edmonton and her husband, Darrell, of Searsport, and Erin O’Brien and her companion, Timothy Parent, of Auburn; a sister, Cathy Hunnewell and her companion, Robert Rivard, of Leeds; two brothers, David Hunnewell of Auburn and Daniel Hunnewell and his wife, Sue, of Pownal; her father, James Hunnewell of Auburn; mother-in-law, Lucienne Hamel of Auburn; four grandchildren; two stepsons, Donald and Craig Hamel; 10 step-grandchildren; and she also leaves many friends and co-workers.

She was predeceased by her mother, Carol Hunnewell.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.