NORWAY – Wilma Hatch Leighton, 85, of West Minot, passed away on Friday, Sept. 7, at Norway Rehabilitation and Living Center.

She was born Dec. 22, 1921, in Minot, the daughter of the late J. Merrill and Edith Hatch. After graduating from Leavitt Institute in 1940, she attended Farmington Normal School for three years. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono.

She and her late husband, Elwin, were the first couple married in the West Minot Union Church on Sept. 15, 1946.

Wilma taught school in Kittery, Hebron, Mechanic Falls and Poland for a total of 26 years.

She loved her family and enjoyed traveling and camping with them. She also enjoyed reading and doing crafts and was happiest when preparing a big meal for her family.

As a member of the West Minot Union Church, she served as a deaconess and member of the West Minot Sewing Circle, working on many strawberry festivals and church fairs. She was a lifelong member of the West Minot Grange 42, going through all seven degrees of the Pomona, state and national Grange.

She will be greatly missed by her three children along with their families, son, Harvey and his wife, Sherrie Leighton, of West Minot, son, Ronald and his wife, Janice Leighton, of Searsport, and daughter, Kathy and her husband, Martin Nadeau, of Hebron; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many other family members.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to all the people at Norway Rehabilitation and Living Center for the loving care Wilma received.