GARDINER – Gretchen Helen Hilt-Migliaccio passed away peacefully following a short illness at Maine Medical Center in Portland, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. In her final days and hours she was surrounded by many, many friends and family.

Born at Mercy Hospital in Portland, she traveled extensively with her family and lived in many states and even in Neuevo Leon, Mexico as her father’s job assignments relocated them. Most recently, she moved from the Chicago, Ill. area, where she met her former husband Paul Migliaccio, and they had their first and only child, Talia Rose, shortly after arriving in Maine in 2010. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic church, and later in life became a spiritualist embracing the love found in all beliefs.

Gretchen was a graduate of Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston, N.H., attended Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in Health and Human Services from the University of Maine in Augusta in 2020 where she also served as President of the Mental Health and Human Services Club.

She worked in many fields including Community Outreach Specialist at NAMI, BHP-Ed Tech at the Children’s Center in Augusta, Personal Care Assistant for the DHHS in Illinois, QA Technician at IMC Plastics in Perdergrass, Ga. and a Medical Records Coordinator at Appledore Medical in Portsmouth, N.H. She taught Junior Achievement to elementary students in Gardiner where she also volunteered.

She leaves behind her most precious creation and proudest accomplishment of her life, Talia Rose, 12. She is survived by her parents David and Ellen Hilt; her sister, Alison Hilt; and niece Abby Hilt; and former husband, Paul Migliaccio, all of Gardiner. She is also survived by her uncle Dana and aunt Terry Hilt of Lamoine, uncle Jay and aunt Brooke Condon of Bridgewater, Mass., uncle Mark and aunt Mary Lou Condon of Madison, Wis., uncle Kevin Condon of Highland, N.Y., uncle Shane and aunt Karen Condon of Winslow, aunt Carolyn Condon of Winthrop, aunt Flo Condon of Sarasota, Fla.; and a myriad of cousins and second cousins across the country.

Gretchen’s loved people and held a deep abiding love of the natural world around us. Her favorite place and moments of life were at the oceanside with her little girl Talia staring at the universe in a tidal pool. She loved the Gibran quote, “You can discover the secrets of the sea by staring into a drop of dew.” She loved people, strong ones and broken ones, equally. Gretchen opened her huge heart to all that would look inside. She embraced life like no other. Those who shared joys with her are truly blessed for those memories and are changed in ways that they do not know. She had the soul of a Gypsy, the heart of an old hippie and the spirit of fairy. Sorely missed and never to be forgotten.

Visitation and a memorial service will be held at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave. in Gardner on Monday, Dec. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m., with a memorial service at 4 p.m.

A family graveside interment will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery on Friday May 26, 2023, at 2 p.m., where she will be laid to final rest next to her much loved uncle, Chris Condon.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com .

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