SKOWHEGAN – Ellen Hinton MacMichael, 81, died of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease on Oct. 13, 2022. She was born on Nov. 12, 1940, in Cambridge, Maine, the eleventh of 12 children born to Clarence William Hinton and Susie McKenney Hinton. She was nine years old when her mother died.

Ellen graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1959 and from Husson College in 1963. While at Husson, she was a full-time student and a full-time employee at Viner’s Music Company in Bangor. She married her husband and best friend, James “Red” MacMichael, on Nov. 29, 1968. She was a loving, devoted, outstanding, full-time wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an excellent cook. An article about Ellen in the Morning Sentinel on Feb. 1, 1983, was headlined “Ellen’s cooking tastes just like Mom’s.” Ellen’s donuts were well-known in Skowhegan and the surrounding area. Children often stopped at her house to eat homemade cookies and other treats. They were always welcome. She sewed many of the clothes that her family wore. She was a valued member of the Board of Trustees of the Skowhegan History House and a member and chairperson of the Skowhegan Board of Voter Registration. In 1986-1987, she was chosen mother of the year by the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge. 

Ellen is survived by her husband, James (Red) MacMichael of Skowhegan; five children: Christopher MacMichael of Norridgewock, Secha Rich of Skowhegan, Dorothy Reed of Skowhegan, Benjamin MacMichael of Athens, and Frances MacMichael of Skowhegan; twelve grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two sisters: Beverly Schmid of Melbourne Beach, Florida and Esther Chiddix of Belfast, Maine; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Clarence Hinton and James Hinton, and her sisters, Muriel Bailey, Evelyn Crowther, Secha Mason, Madeline “Pat” Brochu, Nellie Dinsmore, Janis Hinton, and Julie Marcia.

The family will have a private memorial service. 

We love and miss Ellen very much. Hers was a life well-lived. Rest in Peace.

In Ellen’s memory, donations may be made to the Skowhegan History House, PO Box 832,

Skowhegan, ME 04976

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