HOPE — Patricia Barker Hamalainen, 75, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at Pen Bay Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Born May 26, 1937, in Lewiston, she was the daughter of Charles L. and Delma M. (Lovejoy) Barker. She was a 1955 graduate of Camden High School and attended cosmetology school in Lewiston. On Dec. 19, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Howard Hamalainen, at the former lodge of the Camden Snow Bowl.

In 1973 following her husband's 20 years of military service with the U.S. Navy, they returned to Rockport where they lived for 26 years. Patricia worked as a bookkeeper for M. Howard Hamalainen Trucking Company, her husband's business. She was a legacy member of Beta Sigma Phi and a member of the First Congregational Church in Camden, and also volunteered with hospice grief support.

Patricia was employed with MBNA for 11 years, retiring in 2003. She then enjoyed working at the Smiling Cow in Camden.

Her greatest joys came from supporting and celebrating the endeavors of her children and grandchildren and from having her entire family together in one place. Monthly luncheons with classmates, and regular game days with lifelong friends were held in sacred regard.

Pat most recently enjoyed being able to read for hours on end, and loved using the Rockport Library and trading books with her sister and daughter-in-law, in particular.

Patricia will most be remembered for her enduring attention to detail, her ability to see the good in everything and her unconditional love, acceptance and encouragement. Her infectious smile and laugh brightened many a day.

Surviving are her three children, Marty Hamalainen and his wife, Andrea, of Camden, Sandra Boetsch of Portland, and Wendy Charland and her husband, Jeffrey, of Camden; a sister, Linda Annis and her husband, Jim, of Hope; seven grandchildren, Amanda Boetsch and her fiancé, Kyle Benner, of Portland, Michael Boetsch of Houston, Texas, Dustin Hamalainen, Olivia Hamalainen, Natalie Hamalainen, Annika Charland, and Aili Charland, all of Camden; two nieces, Elizabeth Boetsch and her husband, Paul, of Rockport and Rebecca Johnson and her husband, Parker, of Lincolnville; Patrick Annis and his wife, Kerry Keefe, of Rockport; and a former son-in-law, Kip Boetsch of Union. She was predeceased by her husband, Martin H. Hamalainen, who died Nov. 18, 1990.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, Sept. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St. in Camden. A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St. in Camden with the Rev. Kevin Pleas officiating. Interment will be in the West Rockport Cemetery, followed by a reception at Patricia's home in South Hope.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Bob Gagnon Cancer Fund, c/o Pen Bay Healthcare, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841 or to Coastal Family Hospice, P.O. Box 122, Rockport, ME 04856.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Hamalainen family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.