Thelma Frances Cameron

NAPLES -- Thelma Frances Cameron, 86, formerly of the Pond Road in Manchester, died suddenly on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at the Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Fla. While wintering in Micco, Fla., as they had for many years, Thelma passed on with Roy, her husband of 60 years, by her side.

She was born on Feb. 8, 1925, a daughter of Mary and Joseph Parent. She was the youngest of seven very close brothers and sisters. Thelma grew up and attended schools in the Hallowell-Farmingdale area.

She worked as a secretary for the State of Maine Licensing Board, where she retired from after many years of loyal service.

Thelma raised her family with passion and joy. It was important to Thelma to bring her children up in the Catholic church and attend mass regularly at Sacred Heart in Hallowell. She remained a devout Catholic her entire life.

Her home was often the center for extended family events and holiday celebrations. Thelma especially loved to cook and always had fresh baked bread, cakes and cookies on hand. She and Roy enjoyed years of outdoor family fun, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Thelma loved to travel. She and Roy crossed the country to Alaska many times. As Roy would tell you, even on the Friday before she passed, Thelma looked forward to returning to Maine and was already asking, "and then where are we going?"

Surviving are her loving husband, Roy; daughter Gayle Cousins, of Surry; son Thomas Cameron, of Wisconsin; daughter Carol Mills, of Oakland; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at Hall Funeral Home Inc., 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco.

Thelma loved her animal family and most recently her beautiful pomeranian, Molly. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037.