LEWISTON — Nellie J. Hood, 72, a resident of River Road, Leeds, died Sunday, April 14, at Central Maine Medical Center, with her family by her side.

She was born June 21, 1940, in Lewiston, the daughter of Charles R. Edwards Sr. and Nina Mae (Searles) Edwards Smith. Nellie attended school in New Gloucester.

On Dec. 28, 1960, in Leeds, she married her husband of 52 years, George O. Hood of Stricklands Loop in Livermore Falls. She was a member of the Mystic Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Nellie worked at Carlton Woolen Mills, harvesting potatoes for Wainwright in Canton, and packing apples for L & P Orchards in Turner.

Her greatest and most important job however was a homemaker. She nurtured not only her four girls, but babysat for countless other families throughout the years. She was the heart and backbone of her family and very protective as well.

Her passion for cooking and baking was apparent with the daily prepared meals enjoyed by a table full of hungry bellies and ear to ear smiles. She loved to travel, journaling her families experiences along the way. She loved taking long drives on back roads with George and sometimes their children to see where their adventures would take them.

Nellie enjoyed camping up North, fishing, picking wild strawberries and blueberries and making her famous strawberry shortcake. Her greatest joy was spending time with her husband, daughters and the rest of her family. Her carefree and witted spirited personality was evident in her playful interactions with others. She would make you smile and laugh when you were down; she was quick to give her perspective often, trying to bring a comical opinion. Her love of her family could not be matched. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her loving husband, George O. Hood of Leeds; her daughters, Sheri Hood and Vern Keene of Jay, Kimberly Ellis and her husband, Dean, of Canton, Coralee Hood and fiancé, Bill Lavoie, of Leeds and Rebecca Hood and longtime companion, Leo Albert Jr., of Oxford; eight cherished grandchildren, Amanda Fortier, Dakota Hood, Keith Ellis, Kyle Ellis, Curtis Brown III, Taylor Hood, Garret Leiter and Sean Ellis; three great-grandchildren, twins, Morgan Brian and Hunter Nellie Fortier and Cayden Bronish; siblings, Patricia Cronkhite of Livermore Falls, Laurie Thibault of Lisbon and Larry Smith Jr. of New Gloucester.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her brother, Charles Edwards in 2009.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

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