1925 – 2015
AUBURN — Nancy Helen Archibald Hooke, 90, died on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Hospice House in Auburn. She was a beloved wife, daughter, grandmother and great-grandmother who went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ following a long illness.
Born on May 1, 1925, in Auburn, she was the daughter of Clarence and Helen (Coombs) Archibald.
Nancy graduated from Thornton Academy in Saco in 1944. She first studied dance in Boston at an early age and returned to Boston after graduating from Thornton Academy to pursue her dance career. Her family expected her to continue her studies at Bates College in Lewiston, but her heart led her to continue dancing.
In 1947 to 1949, she toured the United States with the Red Mill Dance Production. She was an accomplished dancer, having studied with Alicia Alonso and Igor Schwezoff, among others. After an injury, she retired from dancing and devoted her life to raising her family.
Nancy married John E. Hooke on July 30, 1950, in Boston, Mass., where they met. They raised their family in Connecticut and Vermont, where they had many good family friends. Nancy and John spent many years on Islesboro, where they retired. There are many family connections to the island, and Islesboro was a particularly special place for Nancy and her family.
Nancy was a member of the Unity Bible Church in Lewiston. She also had been a member of the Second Baptist Church in Islesboro.
Nancy enjoyed reading, bird-watching, cross-country skiing, dance, the arts, traveling with John and her cat, Iris. She loved her family dearly and instilled in them an appreciation of nature, dance and the arts.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a grandson, Spencer Scott Deen.
Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, John, of Greene; her five children, Cynthia A. Henderson (David) of Glens Falls, N.Y., John Douglas Hooke (Joan) of Springfield, Vt., Elizabeth H. Hansen (Michael) of Auburn, Robert H. Hooke of Rockport, and Marintha M. Iverson (Fraser Shilling) of Davis, Calif.; her 15 grandchildren, Ethan Henderson (Kristen) of Argyle, N.Y., Katherine Clatworthy (Nicholas) of Glens Falls, N.Y., Melissa Hooke (Paul Russo) of Crawfordville, Fla., Gary Hooke of Grafton, Vt.; Jennifer Buxton (John) of Northfield, Mass., Holly Hooke of Springfield, Vt., John Hansen (Mindy) of Auburn, Amelia Pullen (Ian) of Minot, Laura Foss (Ethan) of Auburn, Mariah Does-Hooke of Rockport, Matthew Does of Breckenridge, Colo., Marintha Wilson (Marcus) of Davis, Calif., Emmett Iverson of Davis, Calif., Elsa Iverson of Davis, Calif., and Gregory Shilling of Davis, Calif.; 10 great-grandchildren; and several cousins.
You may offer your condolences to Nancy’s family online at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.
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