Obituary of Eunice Goodale Miles

Eunice Marilyn Goodale Miles, 90, died unexpectedly on October 16, 2014 surrounded by her five daughters. A life-long resident of Clinton, she was born on August 27, 1924, the middle daughter of John Lavern and Elsie Dunham Goodale. Eunice was a 1941 graduate of Clinton High School where she excelled in basketball and enjoyed dance classes taught by Jack Leary. Following high school, Eunice worked for the Keyes Fibre Company of Fairfield for thirteen years. She was a member of the Clinton Baptist Church for many years; a member and Past Matron of the Fireside Chapter #103 of the Order of the Eastern Star; a volunteer supporter of the Clinton Lion‘s Club; a volunteer and substitute at the Clinton Elementary School. She was employed at Marden’s Surplus and Salvage in Fairfield; was a Clinton correspondent for the Waterville Morning Sentinel; worked as a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service for 20 years, retiring in 1985. In 1952, Eunice married Andrew Miles of Burnham and together they built their home in Clinton, raising five daughters. In addition to creating a warm and welcoming home for her family and friends, Eunice enjoyed dancing, sewing, knitting, baking, gardening and camping. She also enjoyed trips to various states and provinces with her husband and daughters’ families. Eunice prayed faithfully for her family and encouraged her children to attend church and participate in various faith-based activities including Sunday School, youth groups and Christian camps. Her own faith and heartfelt love were best expressed through the dedicated and tender long-term care of her mother; visits, interest and thoughtful support of neighbors and their children; open doors for all her daughters’ friends; rides, meals and delicious homemade desserts for many; generous words and deeds for those in times of trouble. Eunice was predeceased by her parents John Lavern Goodale and Elsie Dunham Goodale of Clinton; beloved husband Andrew “Gump” Miles after 58 wonderful years of marriage; granddaughter Jenna Armstrong, formerly of Thomaston., brothers-in-law Hervey Kimball, formerly of Waterford; Alfred Miles, formerly of Burnham; Ernest Miles and his wife Helen, formerly of Burnham; Malcolm Miles and his wife Doris, formerly of Benton. She is survived by her five daughters, Elizabeth Diamond and her husband John of Warren, RI; Nancy Armstrong and her husband Jeffrey of Thomaston, ME; Deborah Miles of Thomaston, ME; Andrea Veilleux and her husband Brian of Thomaston, ME; Joan Miles and her husband Spencer Drury of Eustis, ME. Grandchildren include Michael Diamond and his wife Kelly George of Philadelphia, PA; Jonathan Diamond and his wife Megan of Warren, RI; Kathryn and Gordon Armstrong of Thomaston, ME; Xiaodan Mao-Clark and her husband Nester Clark of Houston, TX; Jacob, Jessica and Abigail Veilleux of Thomaston, ME; Joni Melissa Jabar and her husband Ramon Zarate of San Diego, CA; Anthony Jabar of Waterville, ME. Great-grandchildren include Gracie Diamond-George of Philadelphia, PA; Livia Diamond of Warren, RI; Zora Clark of Houston, TX; Ramon Antonio Zarate (Raz) of San Diego, CA. Other surviving relatives include sister Marjorie Kimball of Waterford, ME; sister Jacquelyn Jabar and her husband Paul of Augusta, ME; sister-in-law Barbara Libby of Burnham, ME and numerous, much-loved nieces and nephews. Please join us in celebrating Eunice’s life on Sunday, November 9, 1:00pm at the Brown Memorial United Methodist Church, 36 Church Street in Clinton, Maine. The family is very grateful for and wishes to thank the many thoughtful friends and neighbors who have known and supported Eunice throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to “Friends of Brown Memorial Library,” 53 Railroad Street, Clinton, Maine, 04927. Online condolences may be made at www.ripostafh.com.