MONROE and ELLSWORTH – Alice I. Bickford, daughter of Walter and Agnes (Towers) Bickford, passed into the hands of her maker Nov. 19, 2007, at an Ellsworth care center, after an extended illness. She was born May 21, 1922, at Whites Corner, Winterport. She attended the neighborhood rural school and graduated from Winterport High School, Class of 1941. Alice completed a business course at Beal College, Bangor, and worked for a short time doing bookkeeping in Old Town. She chose not to remain an office worker, but went to private homes in Brooks and Belfast, caring for children, doing necessary cooking and housework. Job opportunities in Cambridge, Mass., lured Alice away from the rural style of living to work at Hood Rubber and the Sheraton Hotel. In 1988, she retired and came to live at the family home in Monroe Village. Alice attended churches wherever she resided, served as an assistant to the church treasurer while in Massachusetts and read her bible daily. She delighted in attending summertime services held at The Living Waters Church Camp, Greenland Cove, Danforth. An automobile accident made it necessary for her to relocate to senior housing in Searsport. Failing health made it essential for her to reside at care centers in Bucksport, Hancock and Ellsworth. The family extends their appreciation to all those who rendered her the love and care needed as her health declined. Alice is survived by sisters, Elnora Curran Kingsbury and husband, Stewart, of Bangor, and Ava Weaver of Winterport; and a brother, Ralph Bickford and wife, Dorothy, of Newburgh. Other relatives include six nieces, nine nephews, their children and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, in 1952; her mother, in 1988; brothers-in-law, Richard Curran, in 1978 and Raymond Weaver, in 2004; and a sister-in-law, Marion Bickford, in 1992. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson officiating. At the conclusion of the service, burial will be in the family lot at Pilgrims Home Cemetery, Monroe. All are invited to share in a continued time of remembrance and refreshments at Monroe Community Church, 26 West Main St., Monroe. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Alice’s memory may be made to Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Center, Activities Account, 42 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Messages of condolence or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
ALICE I. BICKFORD
