Lucille E. Hatcher Obituary (1919 - 2017)

PORTLAND - Lucille E. Hatcher, 97, of Pine Street, passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. She was born in Brunswick, Maine June 2, 1919, the daughter of the late Forrest and Florence (Jordan) Jackson. She grew up in Brunswick and attended local schools. On June 2, 1956 she married Earl J. Hatcher and together they raised their two sons in Falmouth. Lucy, Ceile, and Jack, as she was known to many, loved adventure from an early age. Her family owned and operated The Gurnet House, a classic Maine inn. She had fond memories of serving shore dinners to guests who would take the Casco Bay Ferry from Portland on Sundays. Her mother raised Boston Terriers and Lucille would go to Boston and New York to show their award winning dogs, and during WWII, she contributed in the Women's Army Corps. Lucille worked in the Falmouth School System for 20 years where she oversaw the winter recreation program in the 1960's. After retiring, she bought The Finishing Touch at the Maine Mall, then later worked with her sons at The Foundry restaurant and night club. Not one for sitting still, she worked for Crandall Toothaker and Frank Cloutier in their real estate office for a number of years before retiring for a 2nd time. Lucille then started working at her son John's real estate office, going in every day, until the age of 93. Having a passion for good food and great atmosphere, Lucy loved to explore all of the new restaurants in Portland. Her greatest love, however, was entertaining family and friends at her many dinner parties and holiday events; there was always room for one more at Lucy's table. She would keep detailed notes of who was invited and how much food was left over so as not too order to much the next time. Although Lucille was not one to seek the spotlight, people were naturally drawn to her warm smile, encouraging words, and natural elegance. She was always the shining star whether it be at the Woodlands Kentucky Derby Party, Victoria Mansion Christmas Gala, First Friday Art Walk at the Gallery, a Cumberland Club event, or a gathering at her home in the West End, you could always depend on seeing that warm Hatcher smile. Lucille was predeceased by her husband, Earl Hatcher, in 1977. She is survived by two sons; Forest Hatcher and wife Tracy, of Westbrook, and John Hatcher and partner Dan Kennedy, of Portland; four grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; a niece, Beverly Hatcher Cooper; nephew, Paul McKee; and several extended family members and close friends. Visiting hours will be held Friday, June 2 from 4-7 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A celebration of Lucille's life will be held on Saturday, June 3 at 10 am at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. A reception will follow at The Cumberland Club, 116 High Street, Portland. Private burial will be held at a later date in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Arrangements are under the co-direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Homes and A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Lucille's memory to: Greater Portland Animal Refuge League P.O. Box 336 Westbrook, ME 04098 or Hospice of Southern Maine 180 U.S. Route 1 Scarborough, ME 04074 or Victoria Mansion www.victoriamansion.org/get- involved/donate/