The world is a little less brighter without the presence of Alice Wood (Hodgdon) Thompson, who left us on a sunny afternoon on Dec. 29, 2019 in Portland, Maine following a brief illness.

Born in Boothbay Harbor on Oct. 7, 1939, she was the daughter of Helen G. (Luke) Hodgdon and Norman H. Hodgdon Jr. of Boothbay Harbor. A lifelong resident of Boothbay Harbor and Southport, Alice graduated from Boothbay Region High School in 1958.

After a brief stint at Colby College, Alice, along with a friend, left for a tour of Europe traveling in a VW van for six months. Upon her return, she had but a few dollars in her pocket and enough stories to regale us with for years.

Always up for fun, her greatest adventure began with her husband and the love of her life, Dick (Richard) W. Thompson. They were married on Aug. 31, 1963 and shared 56 years of happiness. She always said that she “caught” Dick with her cooking and it was during the summer of 1962 when she plied him with meals while he lived aboard his father’s boat, Aquila, anchored in the harbor.

Alice continued to “keep having fun” for the next 60 years, always willing to lend a hand or baking a pie (or two) for the church. She continued to nurture her children and devote herself to Dick, all the while working at Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay as a bookkeeper for many years.

Always rising to the challenge, when her mother, Helen, became ill with kidney disease, Alice learned how to take care of her and performed dialysis in Helen’s home several times a week. To lend a hand, Dick took over the laundry duties and has continued to do so thoughout the years, which thrilled Alice.

Always the consumate hostess, Alice and Dick began welcoming guests at Thompson Cottages in 1968 and continued to do so for more than 50 years; many of whom return annually to the beauty of Maine and knowing that they would always receive a warm welcome and a piece of pie.

Alice’s devotion to her family and friends was never-ending. Dick, Linda and Hugh and their happiness were the most important priority in her life and with the blessing of her grandson, Collin, who she adored, she spent many hours encouraging his love of the sea and sharing in her love of tennis.

Alice was a member of the Down East Yacht Club and Boothbay Harbor One Design --- a boat for which her father was renowned. In addition, she was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Beacon Chapter #202, Damariscotta.

Close to her heart, her latest endeavor was serving on the board of the Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation. The location is that of her childhood home and the boatyard of her father, Norman H. Hodgdon Jr. She was so pleased that a place that possessed so many fond memories would become a wonderful place for the entire community to enjoy. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation, P.O. Box 55, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, or visit www.boothbayharborwaterfrontpreservation.com

Alice leaves her beloved husband, Dick (Richard) W. Thompson of Southport; her well-loved children, Linda J. Thompson of Woolwich and Hugh H. Thompson of Southport; grandson, Collin Thompson of Southport; her sister, Rebecca J. (Hodgdon) Dunn of Port Orange, Florida; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Mary E. Hodgdon.

A gathering of family and friends will be held in the spring and announced at a later date.

While it has been a labor of love for her family to share remembrances of our beloved Alice, we know that if it had been written by her, it would have been perfect. We will miss her dearly for not pointing out how it could have been done better for now and always.