ROCKLAND — Benedicta “Bena” Andrews, 92, died peacefully, Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Knox Center Memory Care Unit, after a long and valiant battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was the daughter of Isabelle Moulaison Anastasia and Nicholas Anastasia.

She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur C. “Mike” Andrews, in 1977.

Widowed in her forties, she was blessed with two more loves, outliving both: Lorin Bowley of Camden in 1993 and Dick Ilvonen of Owls Head in 2019.

Educated in the Rockland school system, Bena graduated from Rockland High School in 1947. She later graduated from the Golden School of Beauty Culture in Portland. Obtaining her cosmetologist license, she was employed at Al’s Hairdressing Salon until her marriage. She maintained her license for many years, doing hair while being a stay-at-home mom. In her younger years, she was a member of the National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, as well as a member of the Mount Pleasant Grange.

When her daughters were older, she started working at the Knox County Registry of Deeds as a clerk and later becoming the Registrar of Deeds, eventually retiring from that position.

Always civic minded, Bena was involved with many community organizations over the years. She was a member of the Pen Bay Hospital Auxiliary, Treasurer of the Knox County Republican Women’s Club, Board Member of the Camden Coastal Workshop, Treasurer of the Camden Association of Retarded Citizens, member of the West Rockport Extension Service, and Budget Committee member for the Town of Rockport. She was also a Girl Scout and a 4-H leader.

She was an excellent homemaker and seamstress. She could get a healthy and tasty meal ready in no time flat, sewed everything from clothes to lined draperies, knitted and braided rugs.

Upon and throughout her retirement, she focused her talent and creativeness on painting. Taking group and private lessons, she became an avid and prolific painter, specializing in and enjoying watercolors and acrylics. She exhibited her work at both Union Fair and the Lobster Festival.

She also enjoyed wintering in the South, spending time with Lorin in Atlanta, and later with Dick in Florida.

Bena was also predeceased by her daughter, Susan “Susie” Andrews, and her four siblings, all who lived out of state: Thomas “Buddy” Anastasia of Middletown, Connecticut, Mary Comstock of Culver City, California, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Anastasia of Atlanta, Georgia, and Victoria Sierke of Mobile, Alabama.

She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Andrews of West Rockport, and several nieces and nephews scattered throughout the country.

Her daughter would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff of both Quarry Hill and the Knox Center Memory Care Unit. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to Beacon Hospice, MaineHealth Care at Home and Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers for their support and compassion.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 12:30 to 1 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland where a celebration of her life will begin at 1 p.m.

Bena will be laid to rest privately at Rockville Cemetery.

To share a memory or condolence with Bena’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.