ISLAND FALLS – Delma Erline (Noyes) Edwards, 81, died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004, in Houlton, after a long battle with dementia. Delma was born May 17, 1923, to Bernice Mitchell and Earl Noyes. She graduated from Merrill High School and Bryant & Stratton in Boston. During World War II, she worked for the war department in Washington, D.C. from 1941 to 1943. She came home to help her father in his store in Smyrna Mills. In 1946, Delma married Joseph W. Edwards. She spent the next several years working beside Joe to run Birch Point Lodge and Cabins in Island Falls. Delma handled all the accounting, cooking, cleaning and daily operations for the resort while raising three sons. Delma was an accomplished pianist and organist playing the organ for the Whittier Congregational Church in Island Falls for more than 40 years. Delma was also active in Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron. As an avid golfer, Delma spent her retirement years golfing at Va Jo Wa in Island Falls during the summer and in Zephyrhills, Fla., during the winter. She was a voracious reader and kept her bookshelves filled with the latest books. She was also an excellent seamstress and needleworker furnishing her family with many beautiful quilts, tablecloths and afghans. Delma is still remembered for her baking, especially her bread and pies. Delma will also be remembered for her warmth and generosity. She warmly welcomed her daughters-in-law and stepgranddaughter into her family. Delma will be missed by her husband, Joseph W. Edwards Sr. of Island Falls; three sons and their wives, Scott and Susan of Bangor, Steven and Andrea of Dyer Brook, and Joseph Jr. and Mellissa of Island Falls; four grandchildren, Andrew and Logan Edwards of Dyer Brook and Hilary Clark and Gregory Edwards of Bangor. She will also be missed by her beloved sister, Ena Phipps of Hatfield, Va. and Island Falls, as well as her niece, Sherry Pettyjohn of Hatfield, Va. and Jack Phipps of Smyrna Mills, and their families. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at Whittier Congregational Church in Island Falls with the Rev. James Flye officiating. A time of fellowship will be held at Birch Point immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Delma’s memory may be made to the Island Falls Historical Society. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls.
DELMA EDWARDS
