Obituary of Geraldine Estelle Hagar

Geraldine Estelle Hagar died February 1, 2012 in Damariscotta at Hodgdon Green, her home for 8 years. She was born in Lewiston April 13, 1921 , the second daughter of Carleton and Ada Giddinge. Growing up in Falmouth, she graduated from Falmouth High School in 1939. Christmas Day 1940, she married Howard Hartley Hagar, soon to be in the U.S. Coast Guard, while she worked nights in American Can Company. Before the War’s end, the couple and their two children traveled by train to Bremerton, Washington, where Hartley worked in torpedo manufacture. Maine drew them home, and they settled in Freeport with two more children completing their family. As the widow of a disabled veteran at the age of 35, Gerry got a car, a driver’s license and took on the support of her children with raking blueberries, hand knitting sweaters, lace factory hand work at home, a shoeshop and housework. Certified Nurse’s Assistant training opened a career in care giving at Regional Hospital in Brunswick and Pineland Hospital and Training Center in Pownal. On educational leave from Pineland, she earned an Assosciate’s Degree from the University of Southern Maine in Human Services in 1983. Her interest in outdoor recreation/ education for those with mental and physical challenges was fulfilled working as an Occupational Therapy Aide. She especially enjoyed Pineland’s summer program at Tall Pines Camp. She lost her house in Freeport and moved to Edgecomb with the third taking of her land for Interstate 95. Upon retirement, she traveled throughout Central America and the Middle East with her friend, Jeanne Plaistead, following two years of volunteer work at the Bellevue, Washington Latter Day Saint’s Temple. She lived a life of faith as a Baptist, Nazarene and Mormon, teaching Sunday School, providing transportation, researching geneology, and always opening her home to friends and family in need. She was predeceased by her son, David Hagar, her sister, Methyl Raymond, brothers Erlon and Kenneth Giddinge, and her great grandson, Brandon Hagar. She is survived by her brother, Keith Giddinge and his wife Jeanne of Grand Isle, her brother-in-law, Don Raymond of Lewiston, her daughters Dorothy Albright and her husband Carl of Edgecomb and Claudia Hagar of Gray, her daughter-in-law, Beverly Hagar of Pownal, her son Howard and his wife Sandra of Durham, 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. For the loving care Gerry received, the family thanks the extraordinary staff of Hodgdon Green, Volunteer visitor Sarah Rogers and staff of Miles Home Health and Hospice, and also Joe and Katie Oliphant at the Maine Coast Crematory. In liew of flowers, donations to Special Olympics Maine would honor Gerry: attn: Linda @ Special Olympics Maine 125 John Roberts Road #5 South Portland, Maine 04106 or on a secure line: www.somaine.org. A memorial gathering will be held at 2 pm, March 31st, at the Friends Meeting House (Quakers) on Belvedere Road in Damariscotta. Arrangements by Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Ave, Belfast, ME. Online condolences can be offered to family at www.directcremationofmaine.com.