Obituary of Muriel Mim Knowlton

Muriel, “ Mim” (Barker) Knowlton, Mim to most, Aunt Moo to some, passed away at home September 9, 2010. She fought her battle of cancer with courage and dignity, teaching Stan how to cook so he would eat healthy, copying her recipes for family members and keeping the family photo albums up to date. She said “Come June, I will have a garden.” The garden flourished with care from both of them, and Stan learned how to make refrigerator pickles. Berry picking was more of a chore this year, but it got done. Friends and neighbors enjoyed the harvest. Mim was born September 27, 1934 in Athens, Maine, daughter of Paul and Angie (Lancaster) Barker. She graduated from Somerset Academy in Athens in 1951 and Eastern Maine General Hospital Nursing School, Bangor in 1954. She worked as an O.R.nurse for many years at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan. Mim married Stanley Knowlton June 30, 1956. They enjoyed many years of camping, fishing, hunting and traveling to Alaska, British Columbia and Labrador. Mim enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their camp at Moose Pond and especially their camp at Foss Pond. She was very active in outdoor activities, taking care of her flower and vegetable gardens. She was a wonderful cook. At reunions and other gatherings the family always looked forward to her desserts. Mim was very kind hearted and always there to help anyone in need. She was blessed with special people in her life -- Aggie Nickless, Jo Roy and Ellen Dore. Mim was a member of the Heart of Gold Snowmobile Club in Harmony and served as Treasurer. Predeceased by her parents, sister Virginia Richardson, brothers-in-law Blaine Richardson, Gerald and Elmer Knowlton, and Ronald McGinley. Mim is survived by her husband Stan of 54 years; nieces Patricia Lawton and her husband Robert of Gorham, Rebecca Richardson of Skowhegan; sisters-in-law, Agnes Nickless and her husband Sterling of Estro, FL, Electa Knowlton of Millinocket, Winona Williams and her husband Robert of Danforth, Raye McGinley of Harmony, Kaye Bussell, Gail McKenney and her husband Carl of Skowhegan; many nieces and nephews. Stan would like to thank everyone for the cards, visits, flowers, food, kind thoughts and prayers that were sent to them. Many thanks to Dr. Dubois and the Hospice team for the wonderful care that was extended to Mim. Special thanks to Hollie. She was fortunate enough to be able to say I’ve had a good life, been everywhere and done everything I’ve wanted to do. To honor her memory, aspire to a life like this and practice random acts of kindness. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Harmony Regional Ambulance, c/o Brian Bagley, 37 North Road Harmony, Me. 04942. A graveside service for family and friends will be held 10 AM, Saturday September 18 at Mainstream Cemetery, Harmony followed by a memorial gathering at their home 137 South Road, Harmony. Please come and share stories and memories with Stan, friends and family. Arrangements under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast.