CORICE A. (BRYANT) RICH

SEARSPORT – Corice A. (Bryant) Rich passed away peacefully Nov. 4, 2008, at Windward Gardens, Camden, where she had been a cherished resident for more than five years. Her two daughters were at her side and compassionately supported by staff, nurses and hospice volunteers. Affectionately known to everyone as Crissie, she was born Oct. 10, 1916, in “downeast” Cutler, to Florence M. Aldrich and Earle S. Bryant. In 1918 with depression following on the heels of World War I, her Dad moved the family to “the west’ard” to find work in Belfast. Crissie graduated from Crosby High School and immediately left for Boston with a chum to land a job at the Quincy, Mass., bakery headquarters of Howard Johnsons. She trained as a pastry cook for a beginning wage of $14 a week and then spent the next three years at restaurants in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Wells Beach. It was only fate, that while on vacation back home in Belfast she would meet Daniel C. Rich, while roller-skating on a Saturday night. He finally coaxed her to come home and marry him a year later, on Christmas Eve 1938, and they settled in the house on Jackson Avenue, Searsport, where they spent more than 50 years and raised their four children. Corice worked many years for extra “pin money” doing housekeeping and cooking at local motels and restaurants until her retirement in the 1980s from the food service staff at Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast. Her determination to get her driver’s license at age 53 allowed her the freedoms to broaden her employment and personal horizons. Her community benefited in so many ways from her dedicated service and involvement. As a member of Searsport Methodist Church since 1959, she gave much of her talents and hard work to the United Methodist Women’s group, Round-Abouts and Z.A. Circle, where her beautiful crafting turned out countless items for the annual church sales. She baked so many pastries and casseroles throughout the years for town suppers and events that our Dad would often say there was more going out the door than he got to eat! However, he was never without sweets and she made sure there was always plenty for the family. Corice gave much of her time and dedication to other social organizations. She joined the International Order of Odd Fellows, as a member of Knyvetta-Rebekah Lodge No. 125 in 1948, holding offices and achieving recognition on many levels for 24 years. She was one of the original members of Searsport Lioness Club from 1980 to 1990, and delighted in the annual Secret Pal social activity, surprising the lucky recipient with cards and her hand-crafted gifts. After retirement from Waldo County General Hospital, she worked summers as an interpreter at Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport, touring visitors through gullible visitors would remember her colorful tales long after leaving Searsport. Corice was told that she was “the best liar” they ever had! Mom was the center of her family’s life, and we dubbed her “The Queen Bee.” At every family gathering, and in all work and social activities, Crissie was often the life of the party. She had an infectious smile, loved to kid around and there was never a dull moment. She reminded us often that making memories was so important to her, keeping detailed diaries, scrapbooks and dozens of photo albums. She had timeless graces, never hesitating to say thank you or I appreciate it, and one could always expect a loving, tender hug, a pat or a touch. Her many lap cats were comforts during the years and helped to relieve her occasional anxious moments at Windward Gardens. Their pet policy for resident cats gave Mom a measure of companionship that always delighted her. Corice was predeceased by a brother, Conrad in 1986; by her husband of 54 years, Daniel in 1992; and a favorite cat, Sarah. She is survived by a brother, Jon and his wife, Donna, of Lincoln, Calif.; her two sons, Earle L. and his wife, Carolyn, of Mount Vernon, N.H., and Daniel C. III and his wife, Jennifer, of Searsport; and two daughters, Sharon A. and her husband, Francis Merrow, of Rockland and Ginny L. and her husband, Dennis Middleswart, of Searsport. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Craig Merrow, Chris Merrow, Jeffrey Merrow and his wife, Mollie, Yvonne Rich and her husband, Brian Kelly, April Rich and her husband, John Brown, Michelle Lucas, Wayne “Chip” Lucas and Sierra Rich; seven great-grandchildren, Tuesday Merrow, Craig Merrow II, Cameron Merrow, India Mae Lucas, Issiah James Clark, Abigail and Olivia Lucas; several nieces and nephews. Also special in Corice’s life were Rachel Hutchinson of Lower Lake, Calif., and Pamela Perrigo Payson of Prospect. A service of memorial and celebration will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Searsport United Methodist Church. A reception and time of fellowship will be held immediately after downstairs in the church vestry. Private committal will be at Gordon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Windward Gardens Pet Fund, 105 Mechanic St., Camden, ME 04843 or Searsport Methodist Church, care of General Fund, P.O. Box 169, Searsport, ME 04974. Arrangements are under the direction of Young Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 31 West Main St., Searsport.