Letha Hanlin

Letha R. (Jones) Hanlin, 84, of Oakland, passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the Garrett Regional Medical Center.  Letha was born on April 5, 1934 in St. Francis, ME.  She was the daughter of the late George and Emma (McPherson) Jones. Letha is preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty years, Arthur “AJ” Hanlin in 2004, seven sisters and one brother.  She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.  Letha was a telephone operator for New England Telephone and Telegraph Company in Presque Isle, Maine when she met Garrett County native, AJ Hanlin on a double-blind date when he was stationed at Loring AFB, Limestone, Maine.  They married December 11, 1954.  Letha was a proud and loving military wife, supporting and traveling with AJ to Nagoya, Japan, Etaine, France, Martleshham, England, Rivotella, Italy, Kifissa, Greece, Cape Cod, MA, Belchertown, MA, Andrews AFB Camp Springs, MD, Crestview, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC providing their children with life experiences, opportunities and treasured memories many only read about in books.  Letha and AJ moved to Oakland in 1974.  She was employed at Davidson’s Army Navy and Proudfoot’s Pharmacy.  She was a charter member of VIVA (Volunteers of Various Area) at GRMC, a dedicated volunteer of 27 years.  Letha was a talented artist.  She liked to stay active and enjoyed bowling, dancing, camping, playing scrabble, bingo and traveling, having taken six memorable trips to Hawaii.  What brought her the most joy was spending time with her family and beloved beagle, Cindy.  Letha will be sorely missed by whom she considered her most treasured blessings, her four children; Arthur “Art” Hanlin and wife Dora, Joni Blum and husband Kevin of Oakland, Ret. Air Force Col. Jerry Hanlin and wife Christine of Ewa Beach, HI, and Janet Roderick and husband Paul of Swanton.  She was a precious grandma to seven grandchildren, Brian (Katy) Roderick, Bradley (Brandy) Roderick, Megan and Jenny Hanlin, Stasha Blum (Kevin) Soto, Sarah Hanlin (Jeremy) Henry, and Jacob (Rachel Bowser) Hanlin.  She was known with admiration as “Grandma’s Mommy” to three great grandchildren: Hunter, Levi and Kylie Roderick.  She was a dear aunt to many nieces and nephews.  Letha had many special friends, bingo buddies, neighbors and sisters of the heart Jenny, Barb and Linda.  She was a kind and gentle soul who touched the hearts of all the people she met.  Letha will be missed by those who loved her so very much.  Friends will be received at the C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland, on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 3 -7 PM.  A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 2 PM with Pastor Dave Marsh officiating. Letha will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband AJ at Garrett County Memorial Gardens.  Memorial contributions may be made to the WVU Cancer Institute at Garrett Regional Medical Center, 251 N 4th St., Oakland, MD 21550 or to a charity of one’s choice.