Obituary of Lynette Alice Wessel

Lynette Wessel, 87, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2025 at the Maine Health Penbay Medical Center, Rockport, ME due to complications of pneumonia and other respiratory infections.   Lynette was born March 21, 1937 in Union, ME, the daughter of Evelyn and Lynwood Hilt.  She graduated from Union High School in the Class of 1954, going on to the University of Maine, Orono for several years before marrying her high school sweetheart, Charles Howard in 1956.  After Charles completed his enlistment in the U. S. Airforce they moved to Bath where he was employed at the Bath Iron Works.  Subsequently, they moved to Kittery and then to Harpswell.  Lynette went on to complete her college work and earned a degree in teaching.  She was employed in the Topsham school system for a number of years.

Lynette married Shephen Wessel in 1978.  They moved to Union to take care of her father and at the same time help Stephen manage their marine brokerage business.  Living in Harpswell, being close to the lobster industry and marine business fostered a love of the sea in Lynette’s heart, something she never lost.  Lynette had several other loves as well, one being jewelry, from heirloom to costume, both buying and selling, attending yard sales and flea markets.  Her love of cats was another passion.  Perhaps the most famous was Lighty, a big yellow tiger cat, who would get in her canoe and go out on the ocean in Harpswell and follow along the trails in Union.  Over the years, Lynette had many felines from strays to a Maine Coon cat.  Her beautiful tuberous begonias blooming in Harpswell was the beginning of her joy of flower gardening.

Lynette was predeceased by her parents and younger brother Bruce Hilt.  She is survived by her daughter Carol Daum of Union, her brother Milton Hilt and his wife Sandra of St. James City, FL and Union, companion Timothy Bear of Union.  In addition, many cousins, nieces and nephews on the Hilt, Wentworth and Howard side of the family.

Lynette’s final wishes were for no formal funeral service and for her ashes to be scattered on the water near Harpswell.  A time of remembrance will be scheduled next summer.  In lieu of flowers a gift can be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society, Thomaston, ME.  The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Penbay Medical Center for their dedicated care for Lynette while she was there. 

Memories and condolences may be shared on her tribute wall.