ELLSWORTH – Marita S. Pinkham, 87, died June 1, 2004, at a local heathcare facility. She was born Dec. 21, 1916, in Cherryfield, the only child of Harlan Church Schoppe and Eleanor Kilton Schoppe. Marita graduated from Cherryfield Academy in 1934, and attended Washington State Normal School in Machias, and beauty culture school in Bangor. She operated her own beauty shop known as Marita’s Beauty Shoppe in Cherryfield, the sign the still hangs in her son’s office. Even though she was afflicted with Polio at age 28, she never let her handicap stand in her way. She raised three children, was a beautiful seamstress, great cook, did substitute teaching, maintained the Hancock County Republican Headquarters for several terms, and was able to maintain her own home until three years ago. She lost her best friend, her father, on April 6, 1966. Her whole life was devoted to raising her children, watching her husband with his career, spending hours on rides, going shopping and out to eat with her daughter, Janice, and seeing her son, Ralph, as a Maine State Trooper, and her son, Terry, in his business venture, spending lots of time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ellsworth, and Irene Chapter No. 97 OES. Marita is survived by her daughter, Janice Pinkham Eldridge of Ellsworth; two sons, Ralph E. Pinkham and Linda Feury of Lamoine, and Terrence E. Pinkham of Ellsworth; grandchildren, Michelle Vigue and husband, Allen, and Jennifer Walton of Brewer, Stacey Sinford and husband, Gerald, Terrence E. Pinkham and Vileta Pinkham of Ellsworth; great-grandchildren, Khristi Sinford of Ellsworth, and Nicholas, Lindsay and Cody Vigue of Brewer. She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph M. Pinkham of Ellsworth; and her parents of Cherryfield. Marita always had a special place in her heart for Cherryfield, where she will be buried with a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 7, 2004, at Pine Grove Cemetery, with the Rev. Robert Maddocks officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Maine, P.O. Box 1134, Portland, ME 04104. Marita’s family wishes to thank One Step Home Care and the staff of Collier’s Rehab and Nursing. A special thanks to Wendy Woods of Ellsworth, her primary caregiver and best friend, for a wonderful two and one half years of care at home, and being with her and her family when she took her last breath. Arrangements by Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
MARITA S. PINKHAM
