Obituary: Mildred “Millie” E. (Watkins) Dingley

**Casco Resident Millie Dingley Passes Away at 81** CASCO, ME — Mildred “Millie” E. Watkins Dingley, an 81‑year‑old longtime Casco resident, died peacefully in her home early Sunday, June 14, 2026. Dingley, a lifelong hairdresser and community volunteer, leaves behind a rich legacy of service and affection for the local area. Dingley was born in Casco on December 11, 1944, to Henry Perley Watkins Sr. and Caroline Mildred Hartford Watkins. After completing her education at local schools, she graduated from Fryeburg Academy. Her professional life was dominated by her passion for hairdressing. In the 1970s she worked at Coiffure Limited in Portland before opening her own salon, Sukey’s Beauty Shop, in the mid‑1970s. The salon served clients for more than two decades, closing in the early 2000s. From 1996 until the early 2000s she also served as a custodian for the Lake Region School District. Dingley was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, belonging to Pondicherry Chapter 192. She enjoyed a wide array of outdoor activities, including horse riding, gardening, haying, and attending country concerts. The Fryeburg Fair was a yearly tradition she cherished, as were summer beach outings and watching the smelts run in the Crooked River. She is survived by her son, Raymond P. Dingley, and his wife, as well as a granddaughter, Reannah R. Dingley, and a grandson, John Fountaine, who resides in Casco with his family. Dingley’s sister, Martha E. Glassford—known locally as “Betty”—and her family, as well as her brother, Henry Perley Watkins Jr. (“Skip”), share her memory. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, a great‑grandson, and many close friends. Dingley was pre‑deceased by her daughter, Laurna Mildred Dingley, in 2015, and her ex‑husband, George Raymond Dingley, in 2022. Funeral arrangements have been scheduled at the Hall Funeral Home in Casco. Visiting hours will be Thursday, June 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A service will be held Friday, June 19, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment at Murch Cemetery in South Casco. Family and friends may leave condolences and tributes on the Hall Funeral Home website at . Dingley’s life was marked by dedication to her craft and her community. Her passing is a loss to Casco, where she was known for her friendly smile, her skillful hands, and her love of the Maine countryside.