LAMOINE – Ellie Frances (Bennett) Rich, 93, beloved wife of Alvah Dalton Rich, died Feb. 15, 2005, at an Ellsworth healthcare facility. She was born June 8, 1911, in Bucksport, the daughter of Pearl and Louise (Gilman) Bennett. Ellie attend school in Winterport before taking a position as a spinning machine operator at a Corinna woolen mill. After answering an ad in the Bangor Daily News for a housekeeper, she met and married her beloved husband, Alvah Dalton Rich. Her love for wildflowers and gardening kept her busy both indoors and outdoors. Plants and flowers of all varieties were cared for year round on the windowsills and counter tops of her home. She adored visiting area greenhouses to purchase a new plant whenever she was out running errands. Ellie made sure that visitors to her Lamoine home left with a large bouquet of flowers. Motorists on the Buttermilk Road often stopped to purchase African Violets she set out for sale. She loved to feed wild animals including raccoons that would visit her doorstep in search of a handout. Her abounding love for wildlife and nature led her on frequent visits with her husband and family to Baxter State Park to photograph animals and their environment. Watching bears feed at dusk was a favorite pastime at the park. She was a wonderful cook, mackerel brought to her by her great-grandchildren would be cleaned and on the dinner plate by evening. Donuts and biscuits were some of her finer creations. She was a longstanding member of the Ellsworth Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and loved to attend Christian meetings and study the bible with people. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends, as well as her faithful dog and constant companion, Shadow. She is survived by five sisters and three brothers, Gertrude Crockett of Clearwater Fla., Lyndall Turner of Bucksport, Edwin Bennett and his wife, Evelyn, of Bucksport, Lucile Quinn and her husband, Stuart, of Tremont, Victor Bennett and his wife, Pearl of Bucksport, Stanley Bennett and his wife, Helen, of Bucksport, Rosemary Bennett and her husband, Bernard, of Bucksport, Geneva Smith and her husband, Elmer, of Orrington.; a son, Bradley Bernard Bennett and wife, Phyllis, of Bass Harbor; a stepdaughter, Avis Elaine Campbell of Springfield, Tenn.; her daughter, Annette Guidice of St. Petersburg Fla.; three grandchildren, David Bennett of Cocoa, Fla., Kevin Bennett and wife, Julie, of Glenburn, Cheryl Neves and husband, Agnaldo, of Malden, Mass.; two great-grandchildren, Alex Barnhart of Ellsworth and Korey Bennett of Glenburn; a great-great-grandson, Michael Barnhart of Ellsworth; as well as several nieces and nephews. Ellie was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Alvah; a sister Gladys Wallace of Bucksport, and her parents Pearl and Louise (Gilman) Bennett. The family would like to express warm thanks for the care, love and comfort given to Ellie by the staff at Colliers Nursing Home. If you would like to remember Ellie in a special way, please feed the birds or plant flowers or a tree in her honor. A memorial service celebrating Ellie’s life will be held at the home of Merritt and Barbara Williams, 71 Park St., Ellsworth, at a date to be announced in the spring. Arrangements provided by Cremation services of Belfast.
ELLIE FRANCES BENNETT RICH
