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The Olive Tree |
Barbara Ekemsky Hikel, died Oct. 6, 2005, at home, attended by her family. She
was 81. The cause was cancer. She was born Sept. 25, 1924, in Augusta, to Daniel
and Mary Ekemsky, who were immigrants from Ukraine and Poland. She graduated
from Cony High School in Augusta, in 1942 and from Gates Business School, also
in Augusta. Barbara was active in many community activities, including the
School Board, SIECUS and the Girl Scouts, while raising six children. In 1976,
after moving to Orono, she worked in conferences management at the Holiday Inn
in Bangor and at the Samoset Resort, in Rockport. In 1981, she went to work for
the University of Maine, where she served in diverse positions, notably as
financial manager of Research and Graduate Studies, until her retirement in
2000. The University community was dear to her heart; she served on many
committees, notably the President's Athletic Advisory Board, the President's
Council of Retired Employees and the Combined Charitable Appeals for University
Employees, where she led a record-breaking drive for contributions. She was
known on campus for "telling it like it is," and for promoting the status of
women on campus throughout her long affiliation there. Barbara Hikel is survived
by her husband, Rudy, a long standing Friend and former staff member at Fogler
Library, and by their children and their partners, Katharine Hikel and Walter
Breck, of Hinesburg, Vt., Joy Hikel, of Skowhegan, Barbara and James McCree, of
Glenburn, Elizabeth Jewell and Marilyn McClain, of Carrboro, N.C., Jake Hikel of
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and Dan Hikel and Deana Schrindl of Truckee, Calif.
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