Althea Cousins Obituary (1920

Althea Cousins March 9, 1920 ? September 17, 2010 Althea Cousins passed away peacefully September 17, 2010, in Gig Harbor, WA. Althea, a resident of South Royalton, VT, had just returned from a cruise to Alaska, fulfilling a lifelong dream. She lived her life to the fullest and it ended exactly the way she had wanted: two weeks of celebrating her 90 years, being on the water and playing games, surrounded by her loved ones. She was an excellent cook, well-known for her desserts. Althea's passions were family and friends, fishing, bridge, bingo and her little dog Benji. Althea Norma Dunham was born in Franklin Maine, on March 9, 1920. After graduation from nursing school, she was employed as a public health nurse, when she met her husband, Frederick Cousins, in East Blue Hill, ME. During Fred's years as a US Naval officer, the family lived in several places, finally settling in Noank Connecticut, in 1960. In 1976 Althea retired from nursing, and Fred sold his boatyard in Noank. They began their yearly odyssey, spending winters at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, FL. and summers at their cabin in East Blue Hill, ME. After Fred passed away in 1997, Althea continued to spend winters at Big Pine Key surrounded by the love and support of her Fishing Lodge "family". In 2003 she moved from Maine to Vermont to be near family. Althea was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Cousins in 1997; .parents; two younger sisters, and one great-grandson. She is survived by her sister, Natalie O'Connor of Sorrento, ME.; and her four children and their spouses: Gary and Darcie Cousins of Gig Harbor, WA; Sandra and Ron Burbine of South Royalton, VT; Bruce and Karen Cousins of Walnut Creek, CA; and Thomas and Beth Cousins of Eagan, MN; also 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. In addition Althea was blessed with many loving friends at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, FL, where she and Fred had spent the winters for the past 35 years. A memorial service will be held October 2, 2010, 1:00 PM at the East Blue Hill Village Church in East Blue Hill, ME, with Marjorie Longwood, officiating. A celebration of Althea's life will be held at Big Pine Key in February 2011. Memorial contributions may be sent to the East Blue Hill Village Church, East Blue Hill, ME 04629; or the East Blue Hill Library Renovation Fund, PO Box 41, East Blue Hill ME 04629.