Fannie Campbell Obituary (1918 - 2009)

AUGUSTA - Fannie Longfellow Campbell, 91, of Augusta died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, after a long illness, at Central Maine Medical Center. She was born in Augusta on March 26, 1918, the daughter of Guy C. and Annie (Corson) Longfellow. Her father worked for many years at Augusta Savings Bank and was treasurer at the time of his death. Her maternal grandfather was a soldier at the Kennebec Arsenal. Fannie attended Smith School and Cony High School, where she graduated in 1936. She was a 1940 graduate of Bates College, where she majored in history and played basketball. She worked for a time at Central Maine Power Co. After the outbreak of World War II, she enlisted in the Women's Army Corps, in which she served briefly. She married Ralph Maurice Campbell, of Litchfield, in 1944. They had one son, Douglas. After the war, Maurice opened Campbell's Service Station on Grove Street, which she helped him operate until his death in 1973. For many years, she worked in two noted Augusta retail stores: Nicolson & Ryan and the Corner Music and Book Shop. Fannie was keenly interested in the world and in people, many of whom she befriended with great kindness and generosity. She was a life member of the Kennebec Historical Society, to which she made a generous donation, assisting in the 2008 purchase of its new home on Winthrop Street. She was a cradle member of the All Souls Unitarian Church on State Street, where for many years she volunteered at its community exchange. Fannie was a knowledgeable fan of the Patriots and Red Sox. She is survived by her son, Douglas Campbell, and his wife, Valerie, and three grandsons: Colin and his wife, Frances; Ian and his wife, Helen; and Evan, along with four great-granddaughters. Relatives and friends may visit at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Forest Grove Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.