Ellen Hawkes Miller

PORTLAND – Ellen Hawkes Miller was born on August 16, 1937, in her grandparent Morrill’s living room in Cumberland. She died at her home of pulmonary fibrosis on March 22, 2021. She is now in Paradise.

Her parents were Lenville L. Hawkes and Audrey Morrill Hawkes, both of West Cumberland. Ellen attended Shawtown School, then Greely Institute. In kindergarten a strong friendship began with Beverly Dunn (Miner) and Muriel Bartley (Nevers), which continued through school and on to today. Ellen attended Gordon College and graduated from Gorham State Teacher’s College.

Ellen’s joys in life came from her faith, family, friends and church. She received Jesus as her Savior and Lord as a child and continued to discover and enjoy Him throughout her life.

Her childhood home was filled with much love among her parents and younger sisters, Mary and Ruth. Her sisters were inseparable play mates and together they took part in family farm tasks, from helping grade eggs to gardening and hay harvesting. Reading was big for Ellen then and was a pleasure that continued throughout her life. As an older teen, she cashiered at Shaw’s, worked at the counter at Liggett’s Drugstore, and sold shoes at Sears on Free Street, Portland.

Ellen met her husband, Don, at her church in the summer of 1956 and they married on June 4, 1960. Their two children, Lynn and Brian, were born in NYC. Don’s work led to moves to Scotia, N.Y., Charleston, S.C., and Peace Dale, R.I. Family vacations were largely to Cumberland and Acadia. Ellen and Don also resided briefly at marine labs in North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Woods Hole, Bermuda and UMO’s Darling Center in Walpole. They retired to Portland in 2000 and were thrilled to live just a half mile from sisters, Ruth and Mary and their spouses.

Ellen’s principal church activity wherever they lived was as an encourager, especially to younger women. She was also a gifted Biblical counselor. She and Don worked as a team, with Ellen as the lead.

Surviving are Ellen’s husband of 60-plus years, Don; daughter, Lynn (and husband Mark Baker) of Fresno, Calif., and their daughters Julia (and husband Thomas Baker-Swann), and Christie (and husband Samuel Dahlin, and son, Jedidiah, Ellen and Don’s great-grandson); son, Brian (and wife Laurie, and their children, Danielle and Peter) all of Essex Jct., Vt.; also, sister, Ruth (and Leonard MacPhee), and Mary (and George “Jerry” Goodall) both of Falmouth. Her sisters’ children and grandchildren represent a good number of first- and second-generation nieces and nephews.

The family is especially appreciative of the medical assistance provided Ellen, including her PCP, Dr. S. Zager of Martins Point., and pulmonologist, Dr. Megan Moore of Chest Medicine, and Hospice of So. Maine. The latter was of immeasurable help during the last months of Ellen’s life.

A service of remembrance will be held in May or June.

Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in Ellen’s name to

Christchurch Discretionary (Caring) Fund,

1900 Congress St.,

Portland, ME 04102.