Zoa Lynne (Hawes) Guptill

Zoa Lynne (Hawes) Guptill of Berwick, Maine passed away at the age of 75 on Monday evening, September 12, 2022, after a tragic fall at her Berwick home. 

Zoa was born in Rockland, Maine, on August 25, 1947, to Schuyler and Juanita Hawes.  She grew up on the family dairy farm and graduated with high honors from Union High School in 1966. Her Union Eagles pride earned her the nickname “Birdie” from her husband, Stephen Guptill of Machias, Maine. 

At the University of Maine, Orono, she caught Steve’s eye in the marching band.  He introduced himself by offering to carry her drum after marching band practice, which led to a wonderful 50 years of marriage.  She was voted Homecoming Queen as a sophomore and graduated with a degree in music education. 

Zoa and Steve settled in Berwick after Steve finished his military service.  Zoa taught elementary school music in Lebanon, Berwick, and finally North Berwick for 35 years.  She is warmly remembered for the schoolwide performances she organized and for instilling a love of music in generations of SAD 60 children.  She was a lifelong pianist both professionally and for her own enjoyment.

Zoa cherished her family, including her two sons, Steve’s elderly parents, and a close-knit extended family.  Her whoopie pies were legendary at family reunions, and she was a steely competitor during summertime croquet matches and daily ping-pong showdowns.  She also served her community at the Berwick United Methodist Church. With her wonderful friend and partner in adventure, Martha Couture, Zoa embraced her love of the outdoors and became an avid paddleboarder and cross-country skier.  She spent many happy hours tending her gardens.  Zoa was a thoughtful, genuine person who will be greatly missed.

Zoa was predeceased by older siblings Allan Martin of Boston, MA; Jacqueline Hawes of Union, ME; and Mary (Hawes) Mulhern of Warren, ME.  She is survived by husband Steve; son Robert Guptill and his wife Katie of Boston, MA; son Daniel Guptill and granddaughter Aislyn of San Diego, CA; older brother Lincoln Hawes and his wife Peggy of Union, ME; and older sister Shirley (Hawes) Call and her husband Malcolm of Jefferson, NH.

Donations may be made in Zoa’s name to the Berwick United Methodist Church, 37 School Street, Berwick, Maine, 03901.  A family farewell is planned for next summer in Union, Maine.

Arrangements entrusted  to the Johnson Funeral Home, North Berwick, ME.  Condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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