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Ralph Smith, 85
GARDNER - Ralph W. Smith, 85, of Gardner, formerly of Northboro and Westborough, died on Dec. 22, 2003 at the Hayward Hospital in Gardner. He was the husband of the late D. Marie (Robinson) Smith who died in 1996.
Born in Windsor, he was the son of the late William and Edith (Ware) Smith. He graduated from Cony High School in Augusta.
During World War II he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps where he attained the rank of sergeant.
He was employed as a machinist at Tufts Machine Company for 35 years retiring in 1985.
He was a member of the Congregational Church of Christ in Leominster, Mass., the Gardner Chapter A.A.R.P., the Happy Hillsiders, the Young at Heart Senior Citizen Club in Coopers Mills, and the W.W. & F. Railway Museum in Alna, Maine.
He is survived by one son William R. Smith of Fitchburg; one daughter Nancy J. Senecal of Leominster, Mass.; one sister Dorothy Ames of Jefferson; and one grandson.
His funeral service was held Friday at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, Westborough, Mass. Interment in Pine Grove cemetery followed by a memorial service at the Congregational Church of Christ, Leominster, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Congregational Church of Christ, 583 Main St., Leominster, MA 01453.
Walter Worster, 99
NORTH BERWICK - Walter T. Worster, 99, a resident of Diamond Hill Road, North Berwick died Dec. 24, 2003 at his home after a long illness.
He was born in Berwick on Nov. 20, 1904, a son of Olin J and Minnie M. (Smith) Worster and graduated from Berwick High School, the class of 1923.
He was employed by the Champlain's Pine Company in Rochester, N.H. for more than 20 years and he was also employed by the Great Falls Bleacher Company of Somersworth, N.H. for 11 years, retiring in 1968.
In late 1920s, he played the drums at the KP Hall in Berwick until 1935. He also played with the Triumph Drum Corp of Berwick for several years when the town of Berwick bought the Triumph Fire Engine. The truck still participates in parades.
He loved the animals where he had a farm until his 80s.
He was a member of the Berwick Methodist Church where he sang in the choir group for many years.
He was predeceased by his wife Grayce M. (Austin) Worster, his son George O. Worster, his three brothers and six sisters.
He is survived by two daughters, Esther M. Morrow of Berwick and Gladys E. Petty of North Berwick; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral was held Monday at the Laing-Bibber Funeral Chapel, Berwick with the Rev. Peggy Dunn officiating. Interment will be in New Town cemetery in Rollinsford, N.H. in the spring.
Per the family request no flowers please.
Should friends desire memorial donation may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Maine, PO Box 1134, Portland, ME 04104 in Mr. Worster's memory.
Arrangements by the Laing-Bibber Funeral Chapel, Berwick.
Donald Johnson, 93
ARUNDEL - Donald "Spud" Johnson, 93, a resident of Log Cabin Road, Arundel died Dec. 22, 2003 at the Kennebunk Nursing Home after a long illness.
He was born in Kennebunkport on June 7, 1910, a son of John H.C. and Laura (Benson) Johnson and attended North Kennebunkport School.
He was employed by the Roses and Murphy Garage in early 1940s and later he was self-employed as auto and airplane mechanic.
He was a former selectman and road commissioner for the town of Arundel.
He was a member of the Arundel Lodge 76 of Kennebunkport, also a member of the Murray Chapter of West Kennebunk.
He enjoyed CB and ham radio.
He was predeceased by his wife Constance (Sargent) Johnson and his sister Ruth Johnson Smith.
He is survived by six nieces, Josephine Orfaly, Pauline Drew, Florence Whitten, Donna Dow, Juanita Thurston and Joanna Brown; and many nieces and nephews.
A Masonic Service was held Friday at the Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk. A funeral service at the chapel was held following the Masonic service. Interment was in Arundel Cemetery, Kennebunkport
Should friends desire memorial donation may be made to the Arundel cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, PO Box 11, Kennebunkport, ME 04046, in Mr. Johnson's memory.
Arrangements by the Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk.
Katherine O'Rourke, 98
YORK - Katherine V. (Higgins) O'Rourke, a former resident of North Tewksbury, Mass. and a resident of York Harbor, Maine since 2001, died the morning of Dec. 27, 2003 in York, after a brief illness.
She was the widow of John J. O'Rourke who died in 1974. She was born in Lowell, Mass., the daughter of the late Katherine and Thomas Higgins. She was an alumnus of Lowell Normal School, Lowell State College and Boston University. Most of her career was spent as a special education teacher in the Lowell and Tewksbury public schools.
She was affiliated with the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association, the University of Lowell Alumni Association, the Oblate Mission Club, York Golf and Tennis Club, Vesper Country Club, League of Catholic Women, the Poor Claire Guild, and the Twenty-Second Club.
As a member of St. Robert Bellamine Church in Andover, Mass., she was a member of the Summit Club. Prior to that, she was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell for many years. She attended St. Christopher's Church in York.
Surviving her are one son and daughter-in-law John T. and Carolyn B. O'Rourke of Potomac, Md.; one niece Mrs. William O'Donnell of Raleigh, N.C.; one grandniece Mrs. Richard Price of Clayton, N.C.; one grandnephew Kevin O'Donnell of Cary, N.C.; two great-grandnieces; and three great-grandnephews.
She was the sister of the late Atty. Thomas M.A. Higgins, Walter F.J. Higgins, Edward D. Higgins and Rev. Frederick J. Higgins O.M.I.
A funeral was held Tuesday at the O'Donnell Funeral Home followed by a funeral Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery, North Tewksbury, Mass. E-condolence to condolences@odonnellfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by funeral directors John W. Crane and James F. O'Donnell Jr.
Betty Reynolds
KENNEBUNK - Betty A. Reynolds, a resident of Huntington Common, died Dec. 24, 2003 at Bradford on the Common in Kennebunk.
She was born on June 28, 1918 in Elizabeth, N.J., the daughter of Joseph M. and Elizabeth (Connolly) Coffey. She grew up in Schenectady, N.Y. and graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in psychology in 1940. She was proud of the fact that her mother was a college graduate as well. She was a great believer in the value of higher education for women. It pleased her that her daughters and granddaughters are college graduates.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 59 years, John Hilton Reynolds Jr.
She is predeceased by her infant son, John Joseph Reynolds.
She is survived by two daughters and their husbands Beth and Carl Horlitz of Windsor, Conn. and Maureen and Jim Peterson of San Diego, Calif.; six grandchildren, Susan Horlitz of Somerville, Mass., Carl John Horlitz and his wife Kathy of Colchester, Conn., Daniel Horlitz and his wife, Jennifer, of South Hadley, Mass., Matthew Peterson and his wife, Dovie, of Provo, Utah, and Daniel and John Peterson of San Diego, Calif.; eight great-grandchildren, Carl and Julia Horlitz of Colchester, Conn., Eva Lewis-Horlitz of South Hadley, Mass., Rebecca, Lauren, Julia, Veronica, and Benjamin Peterson of Provo, Utah; two sisters, Doris Karpuk of Glastonbury, Conn. and Joan Ryder of Wauwatosa, Wis. and their families.
She was an active member of the League of Woman Voters in Schenectady, N.Y. She never missed an opportunity to exercise her right to vote. Beth and Maureen remember their mom as a life-long Democrat who especially admired Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. She had an extensive collection of books on their administrations that she enjoyed reading. Everyday she looked forward to reading the editorials of the New York Times and the Boston Globe that her husband provided for her from the Internet. James Carroll was her favorite columnist. She was a supporter of the Kennebunk Free Library from which she borrowed a variety of fiction and non-fiction books over the years. Anne Tyler and Anna Quindlen were favorite authors. Reading good books was her joy. She loved discussing books with her friends and family. She had an appreciation for the art of dance and she often brought Maureen to ballet performances of the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center during the summers. She enjoyed playing golf with John in Schenectady, Myrtle Beach and Kennebunk. A special memory was playing golf in Ireland, the birthplace of her grandparents. She was a skilled knitter of Argyle socks for her husband and Scandinavian design sweaters for her grandchildren. She also liked working on needlepoint projects and participating in the flower arranging and rubber stamp art classes as Huntington on the Common. She and John enjoyed eating out often at restaurants overlooking the water. Her daughters and grandchildren treasure wonderful memories of talking and laughing with her and their dad and grandpa at their oceanfront home in Kennebunkport.
Her family wishes to thank her skilled and compassionate physicians, Dr. Michele L'Heureux, and the many loving caregivers of Huntington Common, Bradford on the Common, Southern Maine Health & Homecare Services, and Beacon Hospice. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Friends of the Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main St., Kennebunk, ME 04043 or The Angel Fund (theangelfund.org), 649 Main St, Wakefield, MA 01880.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Monday at St. Martha Church, Kennebunk. Interment was in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Schenectady, N.Y.
Arrangements by Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk.
Marion Wakefield, 92
KENNEBUNKPORT - Marion Wakefield, 92, died Dec. 13, 2003 at Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford.
She was born in Lynn, Mass. on Sept. 1, 1911.
She attended Boston Fine Arts. She worked at Keslen Shoe, House on the Hill as a waitress, Miller Drug Store (now Colonial Drugs), was a housewife, cooked for bake sales, and often provided food for the police department.
She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Wakefield in 1982.
Surviving are one son Bruce W. of Kennebunk; one daughter, Linda Lank of Kennebunkport; five grandchildren, Terrence Wakefield of Freedom, Corey Wakefield of Biddeford, Scott Lank of Saco, Darrin Lank of Arundel, Glenn Desjardins of Alfred; two great-grandchildren, Willie of Freedom and Tyler of Arundel; nieces and nephews, Albert Meserve of Kennebunkport, and Peggy Woodcock of Gray.
Private graveside services were held at Arundel Cemetery, Kennebunkport on Dec. 19.
Donations may be made to the Kennebunkport Food Pantry, c/o Kennebunkport Public Health and Nursing Service, PO Box 367, Kennebunkport, ME 04046.
Rowena Beamis, 84
WELLS - Rowena K. Beamis, 84, a resident of Ocean Avenue, Wells died Dec. 19, 2003 peacefully at her home with her family at her side.
She was born in Presque Isle on Oct. 13, 1919, a daughter of William and Katherine (Strafford) Price. She graduated from Berwick High School.
She was with the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. In 1943, she was the owner of the Beamis Apartments in Wells for 52 years. She also was a member of the Wells Chamber of Commerce and a communicant of the St. Mary's Church in Wells. She especially enjoyed her family and her grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband James E. Beamis.
She is survived by her four sons, James Beamis Jr. and Mary Leonard of Eliot, Robert Beamis and wife Deborah of North Berwick, Michael Beamis of Eustis, and Danny Beamis of Wells; one daughter Mary Beamis of Wells; one sister Ada Marquis of Somersworth, N.H.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral mass was held on Dec. 22, 2003 at St. Mary's Church, Eldridge Road, Wells.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society - Maine Division, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086-1246 or to the Hospice of VNS, 15 Industrial Park Rd., Saco, ME 04072.
Arrangements by Bibber Memorial Chapel, Wells.
Wanda Curtis, 41
WELLS - Wanda Lee Curtis, 41, of North Berwick Road, Wells, died Dec. 26, 2003 in York Hospital in York after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Chelsea, Mass., a daughter of Jon Calvin Curtis and Joan Emma Mae Johnson-Crow. She attended schools in Chelsea, Mass. She was employed at Raytheon Company for several years in electronics assembly.
She enjoyed the out of doors especially camping, canoeing the Saco River with family and friends. She also was a musician and vocalist and for several years, she was the singing bartender at the 5 o'clock Lounge in Salisbury, Mass.
She is survived by her parents; her domestic partner Lisa Patenaude of Wells; one daughter Jordan A. Sullivan of Cape Neddick; two brothers, Jessie J. Johnson and Dale M. Crow, both of Derry, N.H.; and one grandchild Shealyn J. Sullivan of Cape Neddick.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the York / Ogunquit United Methodist Church on Route 1 in York. The Rev. Sharon Miesel will officiate.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086 in Wanda's memory.
Arrangements Bibber Memorial Chapel, Wells.
Dolly Dame, 67
ELIOT - Dolly H. Dame, 67, of Main Street in Eliot, died suddenly on Dec. 28, 2003 at York Hospital.
Born in Portsmouth, N.H. on Oct. 8, 1936, she was a daughter of Frank and Eva H. (Letourneau) Laderbush. She grew up in Portsmouth and attended local schools.
In 1954 she met and married her loving husband of nearly 50 years Ernest Dame. After their marriage they moved to Eliot where they made their home and raised a family.
She was employed for many years at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in the housekeeping department and later at Liberty Mutual on Commerce way for a number of years.
She enjoyed working with her husband, keeping their yard pristine and tending to her many gardens, which brightened the entire neighborhood, many days they could be seen mowing, trimming and enjoying a visit with family friends or neighbors in the lawn chairs in their dooryard.
Without reservation her first love was her family, she so enjoyed watching her daughter and grandchildren grow, and enjoyed helping them however she could. Her love and support will be dearly missed. Most recently the light of her life was her first great grandchild Katelyn, she so enjoyed the last six months she was able to spend with her, watching her grow and enjoying the love she brought into the entire family.
She will be missed by those who knew and loved her, including her mother Eva Laderbush of Portsmouth, N.H., her loving husband Ernest Dame of Eliot, her daughter Sharlene and her husband Robert Drobisewski of Eliot, her grandsons Eric Drobisewski and partner Theresa Hogue and their daughter Katelyn Drobisewski of Northwood, N.H. and Jeffrey Drobisewski and his fiancˇ Melissa Chapman of Eliot, her sisters Vivian "Mickey" Muchemore of Rochester, N.H., Marilyn Furbish of Portsmouth, Doris Bilger of Portsmouth, and Eleanor "Bunny" Laderbush of Portsmouth, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 3 p.m. at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Rd., Kittery, ME 03904. Friends may visit with Dolly's family this evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Katelyn Drobisewski Education Fund: C/O Sharlene Drobisewski, 24 Beech Rd., Eliot, ME 03903. Arrangements are entrusted to the J.S Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.
Marilyn Giles, 55
KENNEBUNK - Marilyn Giles, 55, a resident of Sylvan Circle, Kennebunk, died Christmas day Dec. 25, 2003 at the Southern Maine Medical Center after struggling with a long illness.
She was born July 26, 1948 in Springfield, Mass., a daughter of Cary and Marion (Witzel) Giles. After earning her bachelor's degree, she worked as a physical therapist in the York county area at the Visiting Nurses Service out of Saco.
She enjoyed the outdoors and could often be found walking on the beach. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed her family and friends.
She is survived by her parents, Cary and Marion Giles; one son Mathew Cary Giles-Huntsberger; one daughter Brittany Giles-Huntsberger; two brothers, Stuart C. and David S. Giles; and one sister Holly Giles.
A memorial service was held Wednesday at St. David's Episcopal Church in Kennebunk with Rev. Dan Riggall and Rev. Amanda Stevens officiating. A gathering followed after the service in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: The American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086, phone number 1-800-227-2345.
Arrangements by Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk.
