Charlotte Kuenning

1922-2015

Charlotte Kuenning died at Franklin Memorial Hospital on Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2015, at the age of 92, while her son held her hand.

Born to working-class parents Bill and Florence Dore in Brooklyn, New York on Nov. 8, 1922, she grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey during the Depression. Her whole life was influenced by her Sunday School teaching to love everyone, which she understood to include all races and all nations, even during war.

During World War II she was part of a small movement of radical pacifists who advocated non cooperation with war measures. In 1947, she married Bill Kuenning, who had been imprisoned as a conscientious objector. While he was in prison, she went to South Carolina and was nearly lynched for being friendly with black neighbors.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, they raised their two children in a housing co-op which was then the only radically integrated neighborhood in the Chicago area. She was active in the civil rights movement and was jailed in Jackson, Mississippi (1965) and Washington D.C. (1968 and 1971) for taking part in civil rights, anti-poverty, and anti-war demonstrations. (Her daughter was also jailed on two of these occasions and her husband on one.) Her husband, an expert on concrete, worked as a research chemist and later as editor of two technical journals.

Charlotte herself did not usually work outside the home, but at one time had her own workshop making wooden toys and later served as a school crossing guard and a special needs teacher assistant. She also cared for her widowed mother, who lived with the family until her death in 1963. Charlotte was an excellent listener to people’s troubles, and her sympathy and moral courage were an inspiration to many who knew her.

After a conversion experience in 1958, she joined the pacifist Church of the Brethren, her husband joining a Quaker meeting about the same time. In 1972, they both joined a small Quaker-inspired community, Friends of Truth, started by their son Larry and his wife Licia.

Although the group did not grow as expected and eventually dwindled, she never left it. After her husband’s death in 1986, she moved to the Philadelphia area, where she provided financial backing and proofreading for her daughter in-law’s project of reprinting out-of-print Quaker classics (www.qhpress.org). She moved to Farmington, Maine in 2006 to live near Larry and Licia, who had moved there in 2005.

She was seen making daily walks around town until she was disabled by a small stroke in 2010. She enjoyed daily visits from her son and twice-yearly visits from her daughter, who lives in Minneapolis. She felt thankful for caring family, satisfied with her life, and ready to move on.

She is survived by; her son Larry Kuenning and wife, Licia; her daughter Andi Kuenning and husband, Dan Leisen; Andi and Dan’s children, Elena Vidas and husband Dylan, Beka Herzog and husband Steve, Jonathan Hamlett-Leisen and Vincente Leisen; three great grandchildren she did not get a chance to meet. She was predeceased by her husband Bill; her two brothers, Frank and Bob Dore.

A memorial meeting (informal sharing of memories) was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Charlotte’s home in Farmington.

Donations may be made in Charlotte’s memory to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, POB 1807, Auburn, ME 04211-1807 (www.gsfb.org) or to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202 (www.heifer.org). Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.

Patricia A. Clark

1940-2015

Patricia A. Clark,74,of West Farmington passed Saturday, May 16, 2015, after a long battle and courageous battle with Diabetes Mellitus Type II at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

Patricia was born on Sept. 23, 1940. She was the daughter of George and Rosalie LeBlanc. Pat attended schools in Madison. Following high school she married her Marine, Donald Clark on May 2, 1959. Donald died on Sept. 13, 1997. Pat worked at G.H. Bass in Wilton for 30+ years, retiring when the factory closed.

She is survived by three children, Randy Clark and his wife Baree of West Farmington, Dawn Haskell and her husband Brian of Vassalboro, and Michael Clark and his wife Peggy of Florida; her grandchildren, Kevin, Jessica and Jennifer, Ryan, Ashley, Andrew and Alexis, Michael, Eric and Kayla; a very special cousin, Helen Taylor of Madison; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ricci and his staff at Central Maine Medical Center, Dr. Tingley and his staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital. All of the very special nurses and CNA’s from CMMC, FMH, and Sandy River Rehabilitation Center. A very special thank you to Roger Wells from Franklin Memorial Hospital who always made sure Pat had a computer while staying at Franklin Memorial.

NOTICE: Clark, Patricia A. 5/16/2015 A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 1 p.m. at St. Sebastian Cemetery in Madison. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Patricia’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Arrangements under the direction of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com

Francis Wendell Fenton

1915-2015

It is with deep, and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Francis Wendell Fenton of Mercer, Maine who passed on May 11th, at his home in the same room that he was born in July 15th 1915. He grew up on the family farm along West Sandy River Road raising Flemish Giant Rabbits, graduated from Coburn Classical Institute, and as a young man was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Greenville.

His father, William, urged him to be adventurous, and he joined the Navy in 1937. He began his career as a boot camper in San Diego and served 3 years on the USS San Diego (CL-55) during Word War II as an engine room Machinist Mate. The San Diego was the highest decorated ship of the war and was the first U.S. Navy ship to enter Tokyo Bay in August 1945. Francis completed a rewarding 20 year naval career and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1957.

After 15 years working maintenance for the San Diego school district, Francis returned to his roots and his home in Mercer. There he reenergized the 100 year old apple orchard and became Maine’s “Apple Man” known for his 43 apple varieties, many of them unique and considered heritage.

He was predeceased by his wife Dollie Lea; survived by sister Annie Fenton of Madison; daughters Linda Lea Higgins of Belgrade, Carol Fenton Gilbert and son-in-law Capt Jim Gilbert, USN (Ret) of San Diego California; grandsons: Zak, Garret, and Aaron and great grandchildren: Michaelee, Trevor, Owen and Jake.

A service will be held in Mercer, 11 a.m. on July 18th at the Meeting House on the hill with burial following in the churchyard. A celebration of life will be held at the family farm, Sandy River Apples immediately afterwards.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Double B Equine Rescue, 997 West Mills Rd., Industry, ME 04938.

Helen Cecile Hanson

1921-2015

Helen Cecile Hanson, 93, died Tuesday, May 19, surrounded by her family at the Slonina family farm in Winthrop, where she grew up.

She was born in North Monmouth on July 20, 1921, the daughter of Jan and Julia (Piela) Slonina.

Helen graduated from Winthrop High School and was employed at Bonafide Mill, Wadsworth and Woodman, later known as Inmont, as a mill secretary.

She married Milford “Bun” Hanson and they resided in Winthrop until their retirement, after which time they split their seasons between Winthrop and Spring Hill, Fla.

Helen enjoyed working in her flower gardens and spending time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed talking with her siblings in Polish, a language they all learned growing up.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Bun; her two sisters, Stenish Grover and her husband, Jim, and Stella Panek and her husband, Joseph; her two brothers, Charles Slonina Sr. and his wife, Corinne, and Boleslaw “Brownie” Slonina; and nephew, Joseph J. Panek.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, Donna Fuller and her fiancé, William Gemelli, of Jay, Julia Frost of Winthrop, Theresa Rankis and her husband, Wolf, of Chelsea, Charles Slonina Jr., Stephen Slonina and his wife, Sherry, of Winthrop, and Nancy Panek of Augusta; as well as several great-nieces and -nephews.

Helen’s family would like to express their sincere, heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Debbie Diamond, Dr. Robert Dohner and the Androscoggin Hospice team for their excellent care.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

HANSON — Helen Cecile, 93, died Tuesday, May 19, in Winthrop. Relatives and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, May 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Winthrop. Burial and committal services will immediately follow at Glenside Cemetery, Turkey Lane, Winthrop.