Frances F. Ricker

Ricker, Frances F., 82, June 11, 2010.  Arrangements by Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Mars Hill.  Interment held in the Jewell Cemetery, Monticello.     MONTICELLO — Frances F. Ricker passed away June 11, 2010, at a Mars Hill health care facility and is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior, which she had looked forward to for many years.
    She was born on September 7, 1927, the eldest child of Lloyd and Bernice Howe Folsom of Monticello. She attended Monticello schools and graduated from Ricker Classical Academy with some further education at Farmington Normal School. She taught at the Britton Road country school until her marriage to Erold Edwin Ricker on August 26, 1949. They started their married life living in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where their eldest daughter was born, then returned home to Maine six months later where she lived the rest of her life.
    Mom was a devoted Mother who enjoyed family picnics, warm summer days spent socializing with family, friends and neighbors and many summer days spent at Russell Rock with her children and friends. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, attending musical jamborees, traveling and potluck suppers and snowmobiling in her middle years with many devoted friends. She loved all the summers when the children were young camping at Mattagamon. She attended numerous churches in the area and enjoyed her weekly meetings at the Monticello Grange when it was in existence. She had extensive flower beds and had a green thumb especially with her Christmas cactuses that bloomed profusely during the holidays. Her Christmas villages were known by many as one of her greatest joys and she enjoyed the holidays to the fullest.
    She is survived by four daughters, Pamela and her husband Roger Murphy of Monticello, who have been her primary caretakers during her last years, Cynthia Weeks of Gloucester, Virginia, Robin Underwood of Presque Isle, and Debra Tompkins and her husband Philip Tompkins of Fort Fairfield; two sons, Bruce and his wife Christine Ricker of Presque Isle and Kevin and his wife Viola Ricker of Fort Fairfield. She is survived by many grandchildren that she adored: Ivan Murphy, Andrew Murphy, Rebecca Condiff, Darci Hinson, Staci Simmons, Christopher Weeks, Robert Underwood, Amanda Underwood, Jake Ricker, Talianna Ricker, Kristi Ricker, Matthew Tompkins and Joshua Ricker; her great-grandchildren included Brandon and Emily Murphy, Jason Condiff Jr, Amber Weeks, Cheyenne Hinson, Victoria and Kyle Simmons, Morgan and Erin Weeks, Gabrielle Ricker and Sophia Livingston.  She is also survived by a loving and devoted sister and brother-in-law, Gail Cleaves and her husband Duane of Brooksville, Fla.
    She was predeceased by her parents, Lloyd and Bernice Folsom; two brothers, Robert and Albert; one sister, Lois; and the father of her children, Erold Ricker.
    Mom will always be remembered for her love and devotion to her immediate family and her caring ways with neighbors and friends. She spent the last years of her life in nursing homes afflicted with dementia but she remained a central family figure, much loved and cared for. The family wishes to thank Dr. Nicholas for his many years of special care for mom and the nursing staff at Mars Hill Nursing Home, where she has resided for the last three years.
    Arrangements are by Duncan Graves Funeral Home of Mars Hill; private graveside services for immediate family was held June 15, at the Jewell Cemetery in Monticello where she was buried in the family plot with her parents. In lieu of flowers, Mom’s wish would be to plant a perennial or shrub in your garden in memory of her. Arrangements in care of Duncan Funeral home, 8 Main St., Mars Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.