PITTSTON – Erma Woodard Rush, or ” Woodie,” of Pittston passed away Friday, April 7, 2006, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born May 24, 1923, in Hersey, to Vern and Sadie (Pinkerton) Woodard. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, mother-in-law and friend. Erma attended the Madigan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Houlton, graduating in 1944. She enjoyed telling stories of her joyful moments with her nursing friends at Milliken Memorial Hospital in Island Falls and Eastern Maine General in Bangor. Erma settled into the Gardiner area with her young family in 1961 and continued her nursing career, working at Togus VA until her retirement 22 years later. She finalized her career at Robinsons Nursing Home in Gardiner. She was a member of the Gardiner Congregational church where she was an active participant of the Lucy Loring Club. She had many friends in the congregation and received much support from the church. Erma will be remembered for the depth of her love for her family and friends. Her devotion to her children, their spouses and offspring was beyond measure. She overcame adversity and raised three children on her own and had the heart-space to welcome another daughter. Erma was a friend to many and maintained those relationships over many years and many miles. In her role as a nurse, Erma developed many lifelong friends from those who were her patients and her co-workers. Erma had a knack for enjoying life. She loved to have fun and her laughter was infectious. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter and good times to be remembered and shared by the people she touched. She is predeceased by her sister, Louise, who’s illness influenced her decision to pursue a career in nursing; and her son, Herbert; as well as two very special friends, Gerald Merry and Rita MacArthur. She is survived by her brother, George Woodard of Farmingdale; and her sister, Lela and her husband, Howard Myers, of West Gardiner. She is also survived by her son, Daniel and daughter-in-law, Betsy of Monmouth and their son, Andy and his wife, Theresa and their children, Katy, Rhianne, Patrick and Morgan; her daughter, Louise and son-in-law, Joe Burns of Manchester and their son, Charlie; her daughter, Catherine and son-in-law, David Agronic of Hallowell and her children, Mary and her husband, John Yokabaskas and their children, Jonathan, Alice and Emily, Debbie and her husband, Frank Panebianco, and their children, Maria and Kristina, Steve Colby and his wife, Heather and their children, Nathan, Jared and Ryan; her son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Karol, of Pittston and their children, Richard and Daniel. She also leaves behind a very special friend, her sister-in-law, Rita Qualey. One of her favorite things to do was to “go up North” and visit Rita and the entire extended Rush family. She also held dear each of the children of her departed friend Rita MacArthur. Visiting hours will be held 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Gardiner Congregational Church, 46 Church St. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Gardiner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gardiner Congregational Church, 46 Church St., Gardiner, ME 04345.
ERMA WOODARD RUSH
