Lena T. Miles

SOUTH BERWICK – Lena T. Miles, recently of South Berwick, passed quietly and peacefully on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Lena was born in Auburn, Nov. 10, 1930 to Aurore and Emile Asselyn. She spent her school years growing up in Auburn, Maine. She graduated from Edward Little High School, class of 1949, and married her high school sweetheart John “Johnny” Miles in July of 1950.

Shortly after her marriage Johnny, enlisted in the Army and served overseas in the Korean Conflict until it’s armistice in 1953. Once safely back home, the couple began establishing their lives together, and soon Lena gave birth to their son John in January of 1955. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Oquossoc, sliding down a snowbank to their new, uninsulated camp on the shores of Rangeley lake. Johnny worked in the logging industry, was a local guide and Lena ran an information center out of their home. Within two years, they bought an area distributor business for Suburban Propane and moved to Rangeley. In February of 1961, Lena gave birth to their daughter Mary Ellen. Lena recounts that everyone loved it there, especially their home in the center of town. Lena enjoyed skiing at Saddleback

For work reasons, the family briefly lived in Scarborough Maine, Rochester, N.H., and Hauppauge, Long Island, N.Y. In 1969 the family packed up and returned to their beloved state of Maine, living in Presque Isle, the “County,” and enjoyed several years there. They built a camp on the Aroostook River and spent precious weekends taking the kids on camping trips. Lena also worked as an assistant teacher at the Opportunity Training Center for handicapped children. In 1974 their son enlisted in the service.

In 1975 Lena, Johnny and Mary Ellen moved to Kents Hill, Maine where they lived for … years. They enjoyed the country area immensely. Lena, a gifted writer, began writing poetry and in 1994, published her book Country Reds. The poem Country Reds was published in the Maine Life magazine and the Farmer’s Almanac.

This was truly a highlight in her life and she enjoyed gifting copies to her friends.

Lena was very involved in the church life at St. Francis in Winthrop. She was an Eucharistic minister, past President of the St. Francis women’s Club and a member of the Maine Council of Catholic Women.

In 2002, Johnny was diagnosed with Lewy Body’s disease and sadly passed in 2009. In 2018, Lena moved to the Captain Lewis Residence, assisted living facility, in Farmingdale. In February 2024, she moved to Berwick Estates, assisted living facility, until her passing on July 18, 2024.

Lena was predeceased by her husband John H. Miles of 59 years. She is survived by her son, John H. Miles and his wife Linda of Farmingdale, her daughter Mary Ellen and her husband Roy and her two grandchildren Hannah and Elijah of Merrimac, Mass.

The family is very grateful for the excellent and loving care she received from the Berwick Estates staff and Wentworth Douglas Hospice at her end of life. 

Calling hours will be Wednesday, July 24, from 5-7 p.m., at Roberts Funeral Home in Winthrop.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Francis Church in Winthrop on July 25, at 10:30 a.m. A gathering will be held immediately following the service at the adjoining community center. A burial service for the family will follow at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, where Lena will rest beside her beloved husband Johnny.

Arrangements are in the care of the Knowlton, Hewins and Roberts Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta where Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.