UNION — Frances H. Beote, 92, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, following a period of declining health Dec. 19, 2012, at her home.

Born in Antrim, N.H., Dec. 29, 1919, she was the youngest child born to Howard and Alice Brooks Hawkins. Frances was educated in Massachusetts, graduating from high school there.

Following high school, she was employed as a cook in several Massachusetts restaurants.

On July 19, 1952, Frances married Albert J. Beote in Woonsocket, R.I. Together they made their home in Concord, Mass., until 1958. While there, Frances raised her family.

Moving to Maine in 1958, she worked first at Moody's Boarding Home and later at the local poultry plant. The family returned to Massachusetts from 1961 to 1966, when she worked for a nursing home in Arlington. When they again returned to Maine, she settled into her career as a nursing home cook, working at Country Manor in Coopers Mills and later with Field Crest in Waldoboro, retiring in 1989 at the age of 70.

Frances enjoyed gardening and always took the time to can the fruits of her gardens. She was an avid knitter, making hundreds of mittens, sweaters, and baby afghans that she gave away as gifts.

Very active in the Union community, Frances was a member of the Extension, and a 50-year member of the Pioneer Grange. In her earlier years she was involved in the United Methodist Church, making pies whenever needed.

She loved her cats, many of whom she adopted from the humane society. Her family said her cats were her babies.

Predeceased by her husband, Albert Beote in 1997; her siblings and their spouses, Robert and Laura Hawkins and Arthur and Doris Hawkins; she is survived by her daughters, Louise Allen and her husband, Arnold, of Union, and Alice Collins and her husband, Robert, of Rockland; her grandchildren, Susan Martz and her husband, Edwin, of Union, David Allen and his companion, Erica Davis, of Rockland, and Jamie Spaulding of Augusta; three great-grandchildren, Anna Martz of Warren, and Dylan and Jillian Martz, both of Union; one great great-grandson, Joshua Martz; two nieces, Nancy Martin and her husband, Stephen, and Suzanne Olsen and her husband, Robert; a nephew, William Hawkins and his companion, Deb Wyman; and a good friend, Ethel Benner of Waldoboro.

Family and friends are invited to visit Saturday, Dec. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m., on Frances' birthday, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841 or Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with Frances' family, visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.