Erla (Keep) Hurlburt (1918-2015)

AUGUSTA – Erla (Keep) Hurlburt, 97, of Farmington, passed away on Sunday evening, July 26, 2015, while residing in Glenridge Nursing Home, Augusta.

She was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Fayette, Maine, a daughter of Ezra and Sadie (Webster) Keep. Shortly before Erla was born, her mother received notice that her brother, Earl (who was fighting in the trenches during WWI and who had not been heard from for several months), was alive and well. Erla was named in honor of him.

She attended Fayette schools and graduated from Kents Hill School in 1936.

She married George Hurlburt on Sept. 4, 1946. They purchased a house lot on Middle Street in Farmington, where they built the family home and where she lived for 65 years. She had her flower and vegetable gardens and various fruit plants. Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies.
     
In her younger years, she was employed at her uncle’s tennis racket factory in New Sharon (currently the site of Imelda’s).  She worked as a hairdresser and had a Beauty Shop in the Middle Street home for many years. She had many lifelong customers and for many “dressed their hair” for their funeral, wanting to look their best for the occasion. Her sons grew up with the smell of permanent wave solution!

She took all of the family photos and was noted for her “portrait scalping” ability.
 
She and her husband enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Triple Town Squares. She enjoyed music all of her life. When music played at the Alzheimer’s Care Center or Glenridge Nursing Home, it triggered a positive response in her and she would be seen tapping her feet or hands to the beat of the music.

She was also a member of the Farmington, Maine Extension Homemakers Group for many years, enjoying the meetings, crafts and trips to various flower shows.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, George Hurlburt, on May 11, 2005, as well as her brother, Francis “Doc” Keep and sister, Katherine Lowe.

Her family would like to thank all of the people in the Alzheimer’s Care Center in Gardiner and at Glenridge Nursing Home in Augusta for all of their help and kindness.

Survivors include their two sons: Norman Hurlburt and partner, Nancy Prince of Wilton; Geoffrey Hurlburt and wife, Ann, of Vassalboro; step-daughters: Sharon Tokarz and husband, Frank of Stoughton, Mass.; Sheila Peavey and husband, Charles, of Florida; grandchildren: Ian Hurlburt and wife, Suzanne; Joel Hurlburt and wife, Karin Tornell, and their mother Amy Hurlburt, Jill Hurlburt Carlin and husband Frank; Allison Hurlburt, Maureen Crowley and husband Tim, Michelle Andrade, Paul Tokarz and wife, Susan; Shaun O’Neil, Peggy O’Neil, Colleen O’Neil, Cathy O’Neil and Patrice O’Neil; several great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

A hopeful thought for all who do not believe in coincidences: Found in her belongings on the day of her passing was her Tennyson Birthday Book, with the writing for July 26 by (Maud.):

“O that ‘twere possible
After long grief and pain
To find the arms of my true love
Round me once again!”

Beside this prose, in her own handwriting, was her father’s name and date of passing, (the same month and day) July 26, 1931.

Private family graveside committal services at Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton. Public memorial services will be held Saturday morning, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. from the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington, with Rev. Richard Dorian officiating.  Following services, a reception will be held at the Center. All are welcome. 

Remembrance gifts may be given to the Maine General Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Center ATT: Alzheimers/Dementia Unit 40 Glenridge Drive Augusta, Me. 04330. Tributes and condolences may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com where her memorial video may also be viewed.