AUBURN — Methyl Gowell Hodgkins, 76, died peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin. She was comforted in her final days by the love and care of her husband of 57 years, children and grandchildren and her unshakable faith.

Methyl was a kind and generous woman with a wry sense of humor. She enjoyed life to the fullest and will truly be missed by friends and family.

She was born Feb. 13, 1935, in Oakland, the daughter of Carl and Annie Gowell of Belgrade. The family later moved to Auburn, where she attended the Auburn school system graduating in 1953 from Edward Little High School. Following high school, she graduated from the Chamberlain School in Boston. While growing up, she spent wonderful summers at the family cottage on Taylor Pond in Auburn.

Methyl was an accomplished musician at an early age and music was always a big part of her life. Indeed, it was when she was playing the French horn for the Edward Little High School band that she met the love of her life, Ralph “Woody” Hodgkins Jr. Methyl and Woody resided for many years in Auburn on Dill Hill Farm, where they and the family raised sheep, ducks and cattle. In 1989, they moved to Westport Island.

For the past 15 years, they wintered in Marathon in the Florida Keys, becoming permanent residents of Marathon and active members of the Marathon Yacht Club. They spent many happy days cruising the Maine coast in their boat the “Hodgepodge” during the summer from their vacation home in Topsham. Methyl was a voracious reader and avid Red Sox and Patriots fan.

She was a member of the Bath Methodist Church in Maine, and very active in the Island Community Church in Islamorada, Fla.

Methyl will always be remembered as a wonderful, supportive wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother.

She leaves behind her husband; children, Kenneth Hodgkins of Alexandria, Va., Susan Matzell of Wiscasset, Elizabeth Eagan of Ashburn, Va., and Margaret Flis of Clifton, Va.; a sister, Mary Goodwin of Cape Elizabeth; as well as 12 grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; and an infant brother, Carl I. Gowell Jr.