Lena T. Miles, recently of South Berwick, Maine passed quietly and peacefully on Thursday, July 18th, 2024.
Lena was born in Auburn Maine, November 10, 1930 to Aurore and Emile
Asselyn. She spent her school years growing up in Auburn, Maine. She graduated
from Edward Little High School, class of 1949, and married her high school
sweetheart John (Johnny) Miles in July of 1950.
Shortly after her marriage Johnny, enlisted in the Army and served overseas in the
Korean Conflict until it's armistice in 1953. Once safely back home, the couple
began establishing their lives together, and soon Lena gave birth to their son John
in January of 1955. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Oquossoc, Maine,
sliding down a snowbank to their new, uninsulated camp on the shores of Rangeley
lake. Johnny worked in the logging industry, was a local guide and Lena ran an
information center out of their home. Within two years, they bought an area
distributor business for Suburban Propane and moved to Rangeley. In February of
1961, Lena gave birth to their daughter Mary Ellen. Lena recounts that everyone
loved it there, especially their home in the center of town. Lena enjoyed skiing at
Saddleback
For work reasons, the family briefly lived in Scarborough Maine, Rochester, NH.
and Hauppauge, Long Island, NY. In 1969 the family packed up and returned to
their beloved state of Maine, living in Presque Isle, the "County," and enjoyed
several years there. They built a camp on the Aroostook River and spent precious
weekends taking the kids on camping trips. Lena also worked as an assistant
teacher at the Opportunity Training Center for handicapped children. In 1974 their
son enlisted in the service.
In 1975 Lena, Johnny and Mary Ellen moved to Kents Hill, Maine where they
lived for…years. They enjoyed the country area immensely. Lena, a gifted writer,
began writing poetry and in 1994, published her book Country Reds. The poem
Country Reds was published in the Maine Life magazine and the Farmer's
Almanac.
This was truly a highlight in her life and she enjoyed gifting copies to her friends.
Lena was very involved in the church life at St. Francis in Winthrop. She was an
Eucharistic minister, past President of the St. Francis women's Club and a member
of the Maine Council of Catholic Women.
In 2002, Johnny was diagnosed with Lewy Body's disease and sadly passed in
2009. In 2018, Lena moved to the Captain Lewis Residence, assisted living
facility, in Farmingdale, Maine. In February 2024, she moved to Berwick Estates,
assisted living facility, until her passing on July 18, 2024.
Lena was predeceased by her husband John H. Miles of 59 years. She is survived
by her son, John H. Miles and his wife Linda of Farmingdale, ME, her daughter
Mary Ellen and her husband Roy and her two grandchildren Hannah and Elijah of
Merrimac, MA.
The family is very grateful for the excellent and loving care she received from the
Berwick Estates staff and Wentworth Douglas Hospice at her end of life.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, July 24th from 5-7 pm at Roberts Funeral Home
in Winthrop, ME.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Francis Church in Winthrop on July
25th at 10:30 am. A gathering will be held immediately following the service at the
adjoining community center. A burial service for the family will follow at the
Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, where Lena will rest beside her
beloved husband Johnny.
Arrangements are in the care of the Knowlton, Hewins and Roberts Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta where Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website www.khrfuneralhomes.com