Ocean Point Column: Remembering Jean and Roy

Tue, 01/11/2022 - 10:00am

Happy New Year to all! Despite the surge in the virus I hope many of you were able to spend time with family and friends. At times it seemed that 2021 would never come to an end, however, we are now in a new year with hopes of good health and prosperity.

I do enjoy the holidays and I especially love hearing from Ocean Point neighbors and friends during the season. Many send pictures of their family, which often reminds me not only of how quickly time passes, but also is a reminder for me to pause for a moment each day to be grateful for my many blessings.

I am certainly aware of the passing of time when I click on the Facebook page created by Sue Clark aptly named, All Things Ocean Point. I’ve heard so many wonderful comments from Ocean Pointers regarding the page that I needed to check it out for myself. I was amazed at all of the pictures that people have posted on the site. Many portray the incredible beauty of our peninsula with its many sights and sounds however; many are a trip down memory lane especially if you are or previously were an Ocean Point resident.

As the result of Sue Clark’s interest in the early beginnings of Ocean Point she published a book titled “Past Images of Ocean Point Maine” which I believe is still available by contacting Sue at Latitude43Designs@hotmail.com; She has expanded her interest in the early years of Ocean by creating her Facebook page. Several of the images from her book can be seen there along with entries from some of Ocean Point’s earliest residents. Thank you to Sue for creating such a wonderful forum for all who love Ocean Point.

Congratulations to Jessica Gibbon and Ryan Morrison who became engaged recently. Jessica is the daughter of Ocean Point residents Mary Ellen and Ted Gibbon. An October 2022 wedding is planned.

Shortly before Christmas, Dec. 13, one of our most beloved residents, Jean “Meme” Slayton passed away in her home at St Andrews Village. Like so many Ocean Pointers I have memories of Meme from a very early age. I was so very fortunate to have grown up with her four sons, Rich, Roger, Jeff and Bob.

Jean’s grandparents first introduced her to Ocean Point as a child and Jean summered every year enjoying all that Ocean Point has to offer: friends, neighbors, activities, boating, the beach, Sunday Services at our chapel and of course the Sunday softball game. You could not wander up to the softball game on Sunday mornings without seeing Meme sitting among friends and spectators happily cheering for her family and enjoying every moment.

Meme was caring, loving and compassionate who always put others concerns before her own; she was a good friend to all who knew her. Meme was thoughtful and generous especially with her time as she volunteered with many organizations over the years, one of course being the Ocean Point Colony Trust.

She was high spirited and thoroughly enjoyed being with family and friends especially at Ocean Point. Someone recently described her as a “rock star” and she certainly was, not only within our community but also her St Andrews community as well as the St Columba’s community.

Some of my fondest memories of Meme are seeing her each afternoon with the beach ladies swimming and enjoying each other’s company, playing in the kazoo band at the Horribles Parade (Meme was our Grand Marshall one year, cheerfully filling in for her husband Phil when he was unable), enjoying dinner at the Inn with friends and her family, and visiting with her both at her cottage and at St Andrews Village catching up on the latest news.

Meme is predeceased by her husband, Phil, brother Burleigh Wellington, and granddaughter, Annie. Our condolences to her son Rich and his wife Stephanie, Roger and his wife Lisa, Jeff and his wife Barb, Bob, grandchildren Nat, Gus, Zach, Melanie, Michael, Beckett, Hattie, Ann Sargent and four great grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will be held this July.

Another beloved Ocean Pointer, Roy Hussey passed away on Jan. 2. As far back as I can recall the Hussey family were well known and respected members of the Ocean Point community. Both sets of grandparents, the Husseys and the Vickerys, owned cottages at Ocean Point and as a child Roy would often visit participating in many of the activities that we still do today.

Roy led an amazing life, after high school he joined the Army and during World War II he served under General George Patton and was involved in the Normandy invasion as well as the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he returned home and married his high school sweetheart Marian on the rocks at Ocean Point.

Roy’s children were older than myself and as a result I was familiar with where the family resided and their long connection to Ocean Point but did not know them personally. I do recall that when you met Roy he was always so very kind, friendly and greeted you with his wonderful smile.

Throughout his life he was involved in so many worthwhile organizations in many capacities and he ultimately became president and CEO of the family business, Hussey Hardware, until his retirement.

Roy had many interests: golf, the Red Sox, cribbage, and of course spending time at Ocean Point with his family. We were so privileged to have Roy as our Grand Marshal in the Horribles Parade a few years back. I remember his commenting that day on the fact that he was riding in a car as old as he was and loving every moment!

Our sincerest condolences to Roy’s children; Ann and her husband Richard Hogaboom and Richard and his wife Eileen, his daughter-in-law Mimi Hussey, brother-in-law William Sprague his eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren along with nieces and nephew.

Roy was predeceased by his wife Marian and son Robert.

Donations may be made in Roy’s memory to: United Way of Kennebec County online or at 121 Commercial St., Augusta, ME 04330; Shriners Hospitals for Children (online or P.O.Box 947765, Atlanta, GA .30394) or Ocean Point Colony Trust, P. O. Box 642, East Boothbay, ME 04544.

It’s that time of year when my thoughts drift ahead to returning to Ocean Point, won’t be long now as daylight hours are increasing each day!

Stay healthy and have a great week!