CAPE ELIZABETH — Henrietta Helen Hagen, 88, died March 23 surrounded by her children.
Born Sept. 11, 1922, in Springfield, Mass., she was the youngest daughter of Herman and Leonora Handy.
After she graduated from Classical High School she moved to New York City with her two sisters to study music and dance.
Upon returning to Springfield, Mass., she worked at the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company.
During World War II she enlisted in the U.S. Navy division Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and became a company commander, stationed at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif.
After being honorably discharged in 1946, she returned to the East Coast and married Walter Ellsworth Hagen.
Throughout their nearly 59 years together, they shared a great sense of humor, a love of adventure, learning and the outdoors.
She embraced life’s adventures, and enjoying swimming in the ocean, hiking, skiing, river rafting and sailing.
At age 61, she enrolled in Diablo Valley College in California and eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.
A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was very proud of her family and enjoyed spending time with them.
Her sweet disposition, grace and strength remained intact to the end.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Walter, and her sister, Eudora Pemberton of Manchester by the Sea, Mass.
Surviving are her brother, William Handy of Duxbury, Mass., and a sister, Leonora Arneson of Harwich, Mass.; three children, Mark Hagen of Cape Elizabeth, Kristin Garner of Great Barrington, Mass., and Susan Hagen of Cape Elizabeth; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at Village Crossings, Mercy Hospital and The Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center at The Cedars.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.
Memorial donations may be made to Fort Williams Charitable Foundation, Arboretum Project, P.O. Box 6260, Cape Elizabeth, ME, 04107.
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