Audrey Sands Mills. Leah P. Lingley. Dwight Littlefield Eaton.
Nov 30, 2025
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks.
We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or at a cost of $500 for people mourning. We’re free.
If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know, and we’ll share it here for you.
Audrey Sands Mills
Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor
Audrey Sands Mills, 93, of Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor, Maine, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Nov. 22, 2025.
Born Oct. 25, 1932, in Burlington, Vermont., she was the beloved daughter of Alan F. and Kathleen M. Sands. She grew up in Vermont, moving to Bangor during her teen years, graduating from Bangor High School, and later from Simmons College.
After a brief time working in publishing in New York City, Audrey married Rev. David K. Mills in 1956. Together they lived in Pontiac, Mich., and Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1972, the Lord called David and Audrey to Maine to found the Mount Desert Oceanarium, where for 46 years they shared their faith and love of the creation with countless visitors. In 2010, Audrey received the Maine Tourism Award for Customer Service Excellence.
Audrey’s loving family includes her late husband of 64 years, David; her children Peter and wife Desiree, and Sarah and late husband Bob; her grandchildren: Danielle, husband Luka; Susanne, husband Stephen; Samuel, wife Laura; great-grandchildren: Soren, Brayden, Harmony, Preston, Kaitlynn, Annabelle, Abram, Mary, Samuel David Jr. and Magnolia. She is also survived by her cousins Debbie Scott and her late husband William, Jeannie Hills and husband Len, beloved nephew David Crain, wife Victoria and family; much loved members of the Mills family; and her faithful friend Marilyn Kittler.
The family extends gratitude to Birch Bay Village for their devoted care and love.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, with a reception following.
Donations in Audrey’s memory may be made to Pacific Garden Mission, a Chicago-based organization supporting a radio show and the homeless with Christ centered care.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Leah P. Lingley
Mount Desert Island
Leah P. Lingley was born on May 22, 1946, in Eastport, Maine, and grew up in Dennysville. A proud graduate of Shead High School, Class of 1964, Leah later married Alan “Pete” Tinker, and together they built a life and a family on Mount Desert Island. There, they raised their four children: Mark (Sam), Connie, Gina, and Michael Tinker.
Leah worked for more than 20 years as a housekeeper for Mr. John and Cooke Cochran of Hulls Cove, a family she thought very highly of — and who felt the same way about her. Known for her exceptional skill, integrity, and unwavering work ethic, she built a strong reputation as a talented and dependable cleaner. Over the years, she cared for the Hinkleys, many private homes, and numerous rental cottages, earning the trust, appreciation, and affection of every household she served.
Leah was predeceased by her parents, Ronald and Ella Lingley; her sister, DeeDee Carter; her brothers, Wendell Lingley and her twin, Lee Lingley. She is survived by her brothers, Dwight Lingley and Kenny Seeley.
Family was at the heart of Leah’s life. She took immense pride in her grandchildren — JC, Alisha, Hailee, Mackenzie, Sierra, Carley, Hannah, John Henry, and Jaden — and her great-grandchildren: Mason, Sophie, Madeleine, Phoebe, Ralph, Frankie, Rory, Bennett, and Storme. No matter what she was doing, “Nanny” would pause to blow them a kiss goodbye — an everyday gesture that carried a lifetime of love.
Leah will be remembered for her selflessness, toughness, warmth, thoughtfulness, and unmatched work ethic. Her stubborn streak was part of her charm, a reminder that she lived life on her own terms and stood firmly in her beliefs. She was the steady glue that held her family together. Her presence, strength, and devotion will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
Dwight Littlefield Eaton
Brooksville and Bar Harbor
Dwight Littlefield Eaton, 90, of Brooksville, Maine, died peacefully under the care of hospice at his home on Nov. 22, 2025, with family by his side. He was born Aug. 2, 1935, in Bangor, the youngest son of George F. and Elizabeth Gale (Littlefield) Eaton.
He spent his summers growing up with three older brothers in the coastal town of Brooksville. There he learned to sail and attended Robinhood Camp on Walker Pond, where he had the distinction of playing reveille each morning on the bugle. Throughout his life, Dwight continued to play the bugle, coronet and trumpet, and he maintained a love of all types of music.
Dwight graduated from Deerfield Academy, Class of 1953, and Bowdoin College, Class of 1957, where he excelled in track and field and held several records, including sprinting, the long jump and pole vault.
Following his graduation from college, Dwight was employed in Boston for seven years at the State Street Bank and Trust Company. He returned to Maine in 1965 to accept a position at the Bar Harbor Banking and Trust Company, heading its Trust Department until his retirement in 2000. He served 15 years on the bank’s Board of Directors, retiring in the year 2005, and was the President and CEO of the former BTI Financial Group. Dwight was proud to be a member of the Acadia Corporation Board of Directors from 1967 serving as Chairman of the Board until his death.
He was extremely active in community service. In his early years, he became a Director of MDI Housing for the Elderly Inc., which provided the seed money and beginning of the Bar Harbor Housing Authority for which he then served as a Commissioner and its Vice Chairman for many years. He was part of a small group organizing the Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club, becoming its third President and years later received the distinction of “Paul Harris Fellow.” He was active on the MDI Hospital Board of Trustees and executive committee, ultimately serving as its President and Chairman. He was on the board of the former Bar Harbor Public Health Nursing Association and its Treasurer, and the Board of MDI Biological Laboratory and its Treasurer.
Other affiliations included membership of St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry, and the Anah Shrine, where he was an active bugler for several years in its Drum and Bugle Corp. He was also active in Masonry and a 50-year member of the Bar Harbor Masonic Lodge #185.
Following his retirement, he and his wife Carolyn moved full-time to Brooksville. There he spent time renovating his early 1900’s sea captain’s home and sailing aboard his sloop, Total Return. He took great pleasure in being a member of the Brooklin Band, where he played the trumpet and enjoyed the camaraderie of other musicians. He was a member of the Bucks Harbor Yacht Club, where he served as Treasurer for six years. He became an associate member of the Brooksville Methodist Church and became a Trustee and its Treasurer for many years. He was a member of the Lakeview Cemetery Association of Brooksville and served as its Treasurer. He became a Director of the Downeast Horizons Foundation in 2010, an organization devoted to individuals with developmental disabilities. He served as Vice President 2011-2017 and President from 2017 until his death.
In 2008, Dwight was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn, following a brief illness after 51 wonderful and loving years of marriage. He felt fortunate the entire family was able to vacation together and celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at their resort in Mexico prior to her death.
Dwight’s family was thrilled their father found love again with Alison Miner, who also lost her beloved spouse to cancer. Dwight and Alison enjoyed many years of living on the coast of Maine, traveling during winter months and being involved in the Brooksville community. They adopted two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Winston and Ginger, who provided them with a great deal of happiness and joy.
Dwight is survived by his significant other Alison Miner of Searsport; his daughters Bethany Shea and her husband Don, of Bar Harbor; Catherine Eaton and her husband William Lissenden, of Brooksville; his son David Eaton and his wife Carolyn (Hodgkins), of Bar Harbor; four grandchildren Kyle Shea of Anchorage, Alaska, Sam Woodward of San Diego, Calif., Ben Eaton of Verona, Wisc., Megan Eaton of Bar Harbor; many nieces and nephews.
Dwight was predeceased by his parents, George F. Eaton and Elizabeth Gale (Littlefield) Eaton; his wife Carolyn (Colburn) Eaton; brothers, Franklin W. Eaton and his wife, Florence “Polly” (Perry) Eaton, Richard G. Eaton of Maryland, Robert J. Eaton and his wife Julia (Lorenz) Eaton of Bangor.
Dwight was able to spend his final days in the comfort of his home thanks to an amazing team of caregivers. Special thanks to Joanne Snow, Lori Eaton, Dorri Moon, and Molly Varnum for their compassionate and loving care.
A celebration of Dwight’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St, Bangor, with the Rev. Gary Vencill and Pastor Heather Dunham officiating.
The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., following the service. A private interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Brooksville, at a later date. Those who wish to remember Dwight in a special way may make gifts to the Brooksville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 34, Brooksville, ME 04617 or Lakeview Cemetery Association of Brooksville, 68 Indian Springs Drive NE, Rydal, GA 30171. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.