Nagene Hale, a beloved spouse, parent, grandparent and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2025, in her Harpswell home. Born on May 23, 1930, in Point Loma, California, Nagene led a life full of love, creativity, adventure and accomplishments.
Growing up in San Diego, Nagene displayed a precocious talent and a deep love for art. Graduating from San Diego State College, Nagene went on to pursue higher education at Columbia University, earning a master’s degree in art education.
Nagene’s professional journey was marked by excellence and passion. For many years, while raising her three children, Nagene was the beloved art teacher at Healdsburg Junior High School in Healdsburg, California. During her teaching years she was also a commissioned portrait and horse painter.
When time allowed, she would seek out beautiful coastal scenes along the California coast to paint. Nagene lived in Maine later in life, where she painted prolifically. Her paintings were shown at various locations and art shows, to include the annual Sebascodegan art show.
In 1953, Nagene married Warren Hale, whom she met at Columbia University. After they were married, Warren taught industrial arts at Geyserville High School in California. Together they raised three children, Celine, Ellen, and Jim, on a small farm with Morgan horses, while both being schoolteachers.
After many years, Nagene and Warren moved their family to Pennsylvania, and later Nagene and Warren settled in Maine. Nagene then found a little piece of heaven in Harpswell, where she lived in her favorite place on Earth for the last 30 years of her life. With all of Maine’s natural beauty and character, Nagene was in all her glory as a painter, and as a friendly and adventurous woman. She often said, “Harpswell is the best place to get old.”
Nagene was predeceased by her husband, Warren, who passed away at her home at age 98 in 2023. She is survived by her three children, Celine, Ellen, and Jim; her three grandchildren, Chris, Sarah, and Josh; and her great-grandson, Sebastian.
Nagene has been described as “one of a kind” by many. She leaves family, friends and acquaintances, with many memories filled with love and laughter, adventures, and her very dear uniqueness.
A celebration of Nagene’s life will be held in spring, at her favorite place on Earth, with a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Harpswell Aging at Home or Bath-Brunswick Respite Care in honor of Nagene for all the love and support that both gave to her in her elderly years.
Nagene will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. As one of her adoring grandsons said, “Gram is off to the Big Whoopi.”
