1920 – 2016

SOUTH PARIS — Athena S. Harkins, 96, of Auburn, died Thursday, Nov. 17, at Market Square Nursing Home in South Paris.

She was born in Lewiston on Aug. 15, 1920, a daughter of the late George and Rose (Spaulding) Bouchles. She was educated in Auburn and graduated from Edward Little High School, Class of 1939.

Athena married Thomas A. Harkins on June 12, 1939, and together they settled in Auburn to raise their three children. He predeceased her on Jan. 21, 1994. She worked for 18 years at Bates Manufacturing, retiring in 1983. She was a member of St. Philip’s Church and Horizon 55. She enjoyed traveling, snowshoeing, reading, knitting, and going for long walks. She also loved spending her winters in Arizona with her husband and most of all spending time with her family.

She leaves her daughter, Lynda Dow and her husband, Richard, of Turner; two sons, Thomas M. Harkins and his wife, Caryl, of Saco and David Harkins and his wife, Cindy, of Minot; two sisters, Lorraine Hering of Michigan and Anne Deletesky of Auburn; a brother, Charles Bouchles of Tucson, Ariz.; a half-sister, Olympia Snowe of Auburn; a half-brother, John Bouchles of Auburn.

She also leaves seven grandchildren, Daniel (Jennifer) Harkins of Greenwich, Conn., Tasha (Ted) Cooper of Minot, Curtis (Carol) Dow of Turner, Barbara (Bentley) Woodcock of Kingfield, Erik Dow of Henderson, Nev., Michael (Tatiana) Harkins of Alpharetta, Ga., and Tiffiny (David) Chase Harkins of Houlton; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two brothers, James and George Bouchles.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Athena’s life by visiting her guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.