Waneta (Hamilton) Cleaves, 91 SOUTH PORTLAND -- Waneta (Hamilton) Cleaves, 91, of Chebeague Island died Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at the South Portland Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Harold F. Cleaves Sr. who died in 1983.
Waneta was born on Chebeague Island on Aug. 25, 1918, the daughter of the late Addison and Justina Ellen (Mansfield) Hamilton. She lived on Chebeague Island most of her life. She attended school on the Island and graduated from Chebeague Island High School as a member of the class of 1936. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother, who always put her family first. She was a member of the Chebeague Island Methodist Church and the Chebeague Island Grange, volunteering as a lecturer. Waneta was famous for her reciting of poems and stories.
She is survived by her daughter Betty J. Dolley and her husband Eugene of Scarborough, and her son Harold F. Cleaves Jr. and his wife Ellen of East Andover. She also leaves six granddaughters, Julie, Vicki, JoEllen, Mary, Beth and Heather; five great-grandchildren, Jessica, Justin, Katie, Eva and Krista; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was also the grandmother of the late Eddie Cleaves who died in 1998 and the great-grandmother of the late Jackie Millett.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Lynn Campbell officiating. Burial in Chebeague Island Cemetery, Chebeague Island, will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to: Chebeague Island Methodist Church 258 North Rd. Chebeague Island, Maine 04107