1921 – 2013

WAYNE — Neala Whitney Jennings, who was born at Summer Hill Farm in Wayne 92 years ago, and remains there in spirit, died Oct. 16,  in Farmington. She was a wonderful presence in the lives of her family and community.

As a child, she traveled to different states with her parents during the depression years and was finally able to complete two full years of schooling — living with her Aunt Ethel and Uncle Carl Harriman for her last two years of high school in Winthrop. She attended several months of business college, worked in New York City during the war and returning to marry, Loton Drew Jennings, in Wayne in 1947. Loton was an air force pilot and together they traveled the country, living on Air Force bases from Alabama to Alaska, and having six children in nine years.

Neala was widowed in 1962 and returned to Wayne to take care of her mother-in-law and raise her children on her own. This she did with a flourish, with a decisive and loving hand. She encouraged her children to be serious students, participate within the community and to take advantage of all resources. Neala dedicated herself to nurturing her family and to her community, participating over the years as a school board member, library trustee, league of women voters member and conservation commission member. She had a special passion for the Wayne Community Church and was excited to help bring an organ to the church, help build a parsonage to attract a full time pastor, and to enlarge the facility to provide more support to children and local activities. Neala always loved children and treasured her time as part of the “History Helpers” project at Wayne Elementary School. Helping to organize the Wayne chapter of the Maine Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1970 led to years of participation with the Wayne Historical Society. Knowing the value of fun community activities for family growth, she and Linda McKee spearheaded the Great Wayne Fair for a number of years, and Neala acted as the “Great Duck Judge.” She also loved music and was an accomplished singer, who sang in various choirs most of her life and especially at the Wayne Church. She always challenged herself to continue learning, was a serious reader and subscribed to many magazines and newspapers to stay abreast of current events and world issues as best she could.

Welcoming 11 grandchildren into the family provided a great source of enjoyment and an opportunity for ever larger family dinners and celebrations. Neala took her role as hostess quite seriously and was known for her dinner parties and cooking. She loved having friends and family arrive to sit on the porch in the summer or in front of the fire in the winter, and her dinner table easily expanded to include whoever might be available to join her. Everyone always enjoyed “being at the farm,” and knew they were welcomed and embraced. Many remarked how peaceful it felt to just sit and have a cup of tea and join in the conversation. Neala had quite a sense of humor and friends have recounted many stories of her sly wit. Travel became a source of joy after many years of taking care of her mother and father, and she was able to visit the Middle East, Europe and Mexico several times with various friends. She enjoyed birding around Maine. Growing flowers occupied much of her energy and artful arrangements always adorned various tables around the house. Another creative endeavor was writing poems and journaling, which she did every evening.

Even though her memory faded much in her later years, and she lived primarily at The Pierce House in Farmington, tended by loving caregivers, she continued to visit the farm and attend many family dinners and gatherings. Her nonjudgmental spirit of inclusiveness and love of family and community continue to live on in all whom she touched.

Survivors include her six children, Henry Jennings and wife, Jean, of Readfield, William Jennings and wife, Marilee, of San Jose, Calif., Barbara Lane of North Haven Island, Beth Jennings and husband, Ron Milliken, of Farmington, Jon Jennings and wife, Sally Wagley, of Hallowell, and Judy Danielson and husband, Chuck Danielson, of Wayne. Her 11 grandchildren are spread around the country engaged in various pursuits (encouraged by Neala’s love of adventure); and two great-grandchildren have happily arrived to enliven family gatherings.

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