Mabelle Piper Haynes died peacefully at home with family in Kimball, Michigan, on May 27, 2015 at the age of 89 due to complications from anemia.

She was born in Damariscotta on March 12, 1926, the daughter of Alvin M. Piper and Gladys Margaret (Mabel) Weatherbee. She had many fond memories of growing up in “the big house,” the family farm on Bristol Road. She attended local schools, including Lincoln Academy where she played basketball, ran track, danced, won the Prize Speaking Contest as a junior, and hated math, graduating in 1945.

After graduation, Mabelle attended Boston University’s Sargent College of Physical Education for Women. Part of the school’s curriculum included time at Sargent Camp, in Peterborough, New Hampshire, of which Mabelle recalled many joyful memories and stories and often reconnected with classmates at reunions. She graduated from Boston University in 1949. While at Sargent Camp in 1948 she met her future husband George I. Haynes, whom she married on March 21, 1950 at her family’s home in Damariscotta.

With the arrival of her first child, Mabelle joyfully became a homemaker, content to raise a family of four while supporting her husband during his successful career in corporate management. His success led to many moves, starting in Waltham, Massachusetts, and then to Levittown, Wantagh, Oriskany, and Garden City, New York, to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and Fayetteville, New York. After her husband’s retirement, their primary homes were in East Boothbay and Naples, Florida. They moved to the Port Huron area in 2012 to be closer to family.

Mabelle was a dedicated mother and wife who enjoyed spending time with family, her children, and her grandchildren. She was an adventurous spirit who enjoyed traveling (not moving). She was athletic, becoming an exceptional bowler and avid golfer, and enjoyed attending different kinds of sporting events and tailgating with friends. She enjoyed history, family genealogy, and served on the board of directors for the Arnold Expedition Historical Society from 1992 to 2011. She was a skillful knitter, who sold an array of colorful crafted items at craft fairs, but mostly donated her items to nonprofits for children and people in need. For many years she volunteered at the Red Cross and Meals On Wheels in Syracuse, New York. She loved sailing, being by the ocean, and spending time at her beloved family cottage in Boothbay Harbor.

Mabelle Haynes is survived by her four children; Susan M. Haynes of Oneida, New York, Shelley G. Pierce of Paradise, Michigan, Thomas P. Haynes and his wife Carin L. Torp of Keene, New Hampshire, and George P. Haynes and his wife Judy of Clyde, Michigan; five grandchildren Jon (wife Deanna) of Hempstead, New York, Hayley Carroll of Utica, New York, and Brian, Sara, and Joseph Haynes of Clyde, Michigan.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Elizabeth Ann Ellsmore; grandson, Philip Markoff; and her husband of 62 years.

A memorial service will be held at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street in Damariscotta, on Friday, June 5 at 1:30 p.m., with viewing hours beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment, honoring the lives of both Mabelle and George, will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Damariscotta following the service. A reception to celebrate the lives of Mabelle and George will be held at the Down Easter Inn, 220 Bristol Road, Damariscotta following the internment.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Arnold Expedition Historical Society, 60 Burnham Road, Scarborough, Maine 04074 in Mabelle’s name.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta. Condolences and messages for the family may be expressed by visiting www.stronghancock.com.