Obituary for Christine Teale Howes
Christine Teale Howes, 94, died peacefully at her home in Kennebunk on January 26, 2022 with her children by her side. She was cheerful and engaged in all aspects of life until her final day, speaking with children, extended family, and friends.
Christine grew up in a parsonage in Granby, CT, daughter of Rev. Dr. Arthur and Lillian Teale. As a middle child, she had the friendship of her younger sister and the playful rivalry of her older brother. Books were a central part of her life. She didn't just read books; she studied and annotated them. Books in her library reveal annotations in the margins linking her thoughts in a continuum that examined relationships within the larger context of life. Her intellectual curiosity led to areas of study that would many times confound her brother, much to her delight.
Christine earned a B.A. at Syracuse University, where she met her future husband Robert Howes. They raised six children, and guided by an unwavering moral compass, shepherded their growing family through turbulent times of social unrest and war. She always wore a pendant that reminded us that ‘War is not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things.' Christine chronicled parsonage family life through her York County Coast Star column, Herb of Grace.
Her poetry defined who she was beyond her family. Writing from age five, she wrote until her last days. The themes in her writing center on time as the loom upon which the arts and history, especially personal history, are woven. Her work can be found in the Maine Women’s Collection, University of New England; the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.; and the International Museum for Women in London. She read her poems locally and abroad, including at Oxford University and the University of Cardiff, Wales.
Collections of poems include: Ambage, written in the 24 Official Welsh metres; Sky-lights: for Gail Lincoln; three collections of Christmas poems: Angel Audacities, The Hartley Harmony, and Gothic Arbor, Rose. The Arthur Elegies, a manuscript of poems represented by A.M.H. is found in Archipelagos of Light, a collaborative book of water colors and poems between Christine and artist Catherine Cabaniss. A collection of miscellaneous poems, Time’s Not Enough, continues the theme of time as a synthesizing agent.
Christine worked with Dan Locklair, Composer in Residence and Professor of Music at Wake Forest University, writing A Christmas Pair and Changing Perceptions. She also worked with composer Charles Kaufmann, writing lyrics for The Astrologer’s Tale, a Twelfth Night drama, followed by a Lenten anthem, In Darkness Light. In celebration of South Congregational Church’s 150th anniversary, Christine wrote Anthem for the 150th Anniversary of South Congregational Church, set to the music of Henry Smart, 1888. Interpretation of artist Alicia Serrano Neathery’s sculptures, paintings, and mosaics resulted in a video, Uncommon Denominators, which was shown at First Women’s Film and Video Festival at the Portland Museum of Art and River Tree Arts in Kennebunk. Along with her extensive writing, Christine also taught English at the University of New England for a number of years.
Christine was predeceased by her husband Rev. Robert Howes; parents Rev. Dr. Arthur and Lillian Teale; infant son Arthur Howes; son Galen Howes; daughter-in-law Ellen Howes; daughter-in-law Candy Howes; grandson Nathan Reigeluth; and sister Mary (Teale) Hatfield.
Christine is survived by her brother Stanley Teale, M.D., of Fairlee, VT, daughter Martita Valentina (Merrill Kidman) of York, ME, son Christopher Howes (Carol Howes) of Allardt, TN, son Eric Howes (Lydia Howes) of Auburn, ME, daughter Emily Hawkins (David Hawkins) of Hampden, ME, son Dwight Howes (Sara White) of Sewickley, PA; grandchildren Paul Michaels, Josh Michaels, Isaac Howes, Geneva Howes, Asher Hawkins, Rebecca Hawkins, Annie Hawkins, Megan Howes, Tate Howes, Jack Howes, Cate Howes, Jesse Herron and Anna Herron; and great-grandchildren Owen Michaels, Wesley Howes, Ariana Howes, and Ethan Howes.
The Howes' family is grateful to Hospice of Southern Maine, the many loving helpers from Serving our Seniors, and family friends who provided food, comfort, and support that allowed Christine to remain comfortably at home.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the South Congregational Church, Temple Street, Kennebunkport, followed by a reception at the Community House. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Howes Education Fund, South Congregational Church, PO Box 414, Kennebunkport, ME 04046.
Beauty to live by is a field,
Hepatica, shadblow, heart-be-healed:
Shadblow’s brief brilliance spills essence of light,
dihedral of gull’s wing is shadblow white…
CTH
Christine grew up in a parsonage in Granby, CT, daughter of Rev. Dr. Arthur and Lillian Teale. As a middle child, she had the friendship of her younger sister and the playful rivalry of her older brother. Books were a central part of her life. She didn't just read books; she studied and annotated them. Books in her library reveal annotations in the margins linking her thoughts in a continuum that examined relationships within the larger context of life. Her intellectual curiosity led to areas of study that would many times confound her brother, much to her delight.
Christine earned a B.A. at Syracuse University, where she met her future husband Robert Howes. They raised six children, and guided by an unwavering moral compass, shepherded their growing family through turbulent times of social unrest and war. She always wore a pendant that reminded us that ‘War is not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things.' Christine chronicled parsonage family life through her York County Coast Star column, Herb of Grace.
Her poetry defined who she was beyond her family. Writing from age five, she wrote until her last days. The themes in her writing center on time as the loom upon which the arts and history, especially personal history, are woven. Her work can be found in the Maine Women’s Collection, University of New England; the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.; and the International Museum for Women in London. She read her poems locally and abroad, including at Oxford University and the University of Cardiff, Wales.
Collections of poems include: Ambage, written in the 24 Official Welsh metres; Sky-lights: for Gail Lincoln; three collections of Christmas poems: Angel Audacities, The Hartley Harmony, and Gothic Arbor, Rose. The Arthur Elegies, a manuscript of poems represented by A.M.H. is found in Archipelagos of Light, a collaborative book of water colors and poems between Christine and artist Catherine Cabaniss. A collection of miscellaneous poems, Time’s Not Enough, continues the theme of time as a synthesizing agent.
Christine worked with Dan Locklair, Composer in Residence and Professor of Music at Wake Forest University, writing A Christmas Pair and Changing Perceptions. She also worked with composer Charles Kaufmann, writing lyrics for The Astrologer’s Tale, a Twelfth Night drama, followed by a Lenten anthem, In Darkness Light. In celebration of South Congregational Church’s 150th anniversary, Christine wrote Anthem for the 150th Anniversary of South Congregational Church, set to the music of Henry Smart, 1888. Interpretation of artist Alicia Serrano Neathery’s sculptures, paintings, and mosaics resulted in a video, Uncommon Denominators, which was shown at First Women’s Film and Video Festival at the Portland Museum of Art and River Tree Arts in Kennebunk. Along with her extensive writing, Christine also taught English at the University of New England for a number of years.
Christine was predeceased by her husband Rev. Robert Howes; parents Rev. Dr. Arthur and Lillian Teale; infant son Arthur Howes; son Galen Howes; daughter-in-law Ellen Howes; daughter-in-law Candy Howes; grandson Nathan Reigeluth; and sister Mary (Teale) Hatfield.
Christine is survived by her brother Stanley Teale, M.D., of Fairlee, VT, daughter Martita Valentina (Merrill Kidman) of York, ME, son Christopher Howes (Carol Howes) of Allardt, TN, son Eric Howes (Lydia Howes) of Auburn, ME, daughter Emily Hawkins (David Hawkins) of Hampden, ME, son Dwight Howes (Sara White) of Sewickley, PA; grandchildren Paul Michaels, Josh Michaels, Isaac Howes, Geneva Howes, Asher Hawkins, Rebecca Hawkins, Annie Hawkins, Megan Howes, Tate Howes, Jack Howes, Cate Howes, Jesse Herron and Anna Herron; and great-grandchildren Owen Michaels, Wesley Howes, Ariana Howes, and Ethan Howes.
The Howes' family is grateful to Hospice of Southern Maine, the many loving helpers from Serving our Seniors, and family friends who provided food, comfort, and support that allowed Christine to remain comfortably at home.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the South Congregational Church, Temple Street, Kennebunkport, followed by a reception at the Community House. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Howes Education Fund, South Congregational Church, PO Box 414, Kennebunkport, ME 04046.
Beauty to live by is a field,
Hepatica, shadblow, heart-be-healed:
Shadblow’s brief brilliance spills essence of light,
dihedral of gull’s wing is shadblow white…
CTH