Holden – Chrystal Frances Hale, 60, died April 11, 2018. She dealt with end-stage diabetes and stage 4 ovarian cancer with inspiring strength, calm, and grace. Born January 16, 1958 in Millinocket, Maine, Chrys was the daughter of Clarence Adelbert and Hughene Ruth Phillips Hale.

Chrystal grew up in East Millinocket and then Holden, Maine, graduating from Brewer High School in 1976. Chrys attended the University of Maine, Orono, where she became “Big Blue” through and through. While at UMaine Chrys was a member of the Big Blue Band, playing clarinet, was a Resident Hall Assistant, and was elected “All Maine Woman”. Chrys graduated from UMaine magna cum laude in 1980, with a degree in Psychology. She then attended graduate school at Northern Illinois University, from which she received a Master’s Degree in Psychology in 1984.

Upon graduation Chrys moved back to Maine, and was employed over the next two and a half decades in the mental health field, with a focus on helping at-risk juveniles, which also included opening her home and heart to foster children. Visiting camp on South Twin Lake, knitting, visiting with family and friends, walking her dogs, and yes, on-line shopping were favorite pastimes. In her last years Chrys lived on and kept up the farm that had been in the family since before the Civil War. Most important to her, she maintained close relationships with her close and extended family and friends throughout her life. Chrys leaves behind a large family and network of friends whom she loved dearly, and in turn was dearly loved by them. Chrystal was predeceased by her mother and father and her brother Marcus. She is survived by her sister Martha and her husband Pat, her brother Bob and his wife Cheryl, her nieces Lydia and Molly Horne, her niece Colleen Marsteller and her husband Andy, her nephew Ben Hale and his wife Sam, her nephew Lucas and his wife Emily, and her great-nieces Emma and Poppy Marsteller, Adeline and Henrietta Hale, and Harper, Autumn, and Laurel Hale. She is also survived by her beloved and loyal canine companion, Cooper.

A celebration of life for Chrystal Frances Hale will be held at 11am on Tuesday, July 10, at the Holden United Church of Christ, Holden Congregational, with Pastor Linette George presiding. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and a light lunch at the church after the service. Those who wish to remember Chrys in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401.