Evelyn Hamilton Hanscom Towne

WATERVILLE – Evelyn Hamilton Hanscom Towne, 97, passed away on Feb. 15, 2022 in Waterville. She was born on June 18, 1924 in Lewiston to Robert and Esther Coolidge Hamilton. She was educated in the Auburn schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1942 and from Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in Lewiston in1945.

Evelyn was a Registered Nurse, working private duty and in the admitting office at CMG prior to her marriage to Basil C. Hanscom in 1948. Mr. Hanscom was the first director of the YMCA in Waterville and they resided in Waterville until he was transferred by the YMCA to Michigan where he died unexpectedly in 1956. At that time, Evelyn and their two children returned to Maine, living in the Lewiston area for a year prior to moving back to Waterville where she lived until the end of her life.

In 1957 she became associated with Thayer Hospital in Waterville, becoming the Director of Admissions in 1964. She worked at Thayer until 1974, when she married Dr. Charles E. Towne of Waterville. She and Charles spent winters in Naples, Fla. and summers in Waterville and Hancock Pond. Over the years, Evelyn was an active member of the First Baptist Church and the Pleasant St. United Methodist Church in Waterville where she served on various boards and committees at the churches, including the Greater Waterville Council of Churches. She was a member of the Maine State Nurses Association and served on several committees at Thayer Hospital. She served as the Chairman of the Individuals Committee of the United Way of Waterville for three years, was a former member of DAR, a Lifetime Member of the Waterville Women’s Club, and a member of the Founders Group of the current YMCA/Boys Club/Girls Club of the Alfond Youth Center. In 2011 she was inducted into the Inspirational Hall of Fame of the Alfond Youth Center.

Evelyn was preceded in death by husbands Basil C. Hanscom and Dr. Charles E. Towne, Mary Towne Sondergeld and Connie Towne. She is survived by her son Daniel R. Hanscom (Susan), and daughter Deborah H. Christopher (Gilbert), Dr. John W. Towne, Donald Sondergeld; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family of Mrs. Towne would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many friends who made it possible for Evelyn to remain in her home on Highland Avenue for several years when she was unable to get out alone. Our gratitude is also extended to the staff at Oak Grove Center and to Maine General Hospice who cared for her over the last few years.

A memorial service and burial will be held in the summer.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial contributions

may be made to the:

Greater Waterville

Food Bank

61 Pleasant St.

Waterville, ME 04901 or:

Maine General Hospice

10 Water St., Suite 307

Waterville, ME 04901