Olive Hamilton

Olive Poisson (Marquis) Hamilton, 91, most recently a resident of Cedar Ridge Rehab and Nursing Center in Skowhegan, Maine, has left to join her husband Marc on a new journey on Saturday March 17, 2012.

Olive was born on July 14, 1920 in Green River, New Brunswick, Canada, the first child of Henri Poisson and Emelia (Pelletier) Poisson. As a child, Olive was put in an orphanage, due to financial difficulties the family was having at that time. As a teenager, she eventually moved back home and found work to help support her family.

In 1938, Olive married Wilfred Marquis in Limestone, Maine and together they had two sons, Sylvio and Lionel. Sometime in the 1940’s, the family moved to Connecticut where work was plentiful. They divorced in 1957 and Olive began a new chapter in her life. She moved to Utah in the late 1950’s and went to school to study Cosmetology and hairdressing, gaining her license in 1961. She eventually moved back to Connecticut and started her 20 year career with Travelers Insurance Company.

In 1964, at the age of 44, Olive took on the task of raising two of her grandchildren who were ages 2 and 3. In 1970, while working at Travelers, Olive met Marcus Hamilton, whom she married in 1972. In 1986, after they both retired, Olive and Marc moved to Skowhegan, Maine to be closer to all of her family. They would spend their summers in Maine, and their winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and later Port Charlotte, Florida for the following 21 years. While in retirement, they enjoyed the flea markets, both as buyers and sellers.

Olive was active in many organizations, including Le Laurel Snowshoe Club of Hartford, CT, Bigelow Chapter #33 Order of the Eastern Star of East Hartford, CT, where she earned the status of Worthy Matron, a member of the Daughters of the Nile, and the Skowhegan Women’s Club.

Olive is survived by her son Lionel Marquis of Skowhegan, grandsons: Duane Marquis and his wife Angela of Madison, Steven Marquis of Skowhegan, Daniel Marquis and his wife Vera of San Leon, TX; granddaughters: Ellen Sawyer and her husband Gene of Palmyra, Denise Spooner of Solon; twelve great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, her sister Ida Carter of Phoenix, AZ, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Olive was predeceased by her husband Marcus, her son Sylvio, her brothers: Don Poisson, Camille Poisson, and Fred Poisson.

At her request, there will be no visitation or funeral services. A graveside service will be held at the East Skowhegan Cemetery in Skowhegan later in the spring.

The family would like to thank the doctors and personnel at Redington Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, Maine who helped and gave comfort to Olive. And also, the great staff at Cedar Ridge Rehab and Nursing Center in Skowhegan, Maine.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.