BANGOR – Bernice Pearl Ayer, 84, died peacefully Jan. 18, 2010, at her home. She was born April 7, 1925, in Orono, the daughter of Roland and Jessie (Cochrane) Crosby. Bernice grew up in Orono, Eddington, and later moved to Bangor, where she met her husband-to-be Donald Ayer. Her family then moved to Berwick and she attended McIntosh Business School. Bernice and Don married Nov. 16, 1944, during Donald’s leave from the U. S. Navy. When he was discharged in 1946 they made their home at 41 Silver Road, Bangor. Here they raised their family. Bernice was a wonderful mother and dedicated her life to her family. She later worked as a bookkeeper in the family businesses, Hampden IGA and Skip’s Yankee Grocer. In their retirement, Bernice and Don spent many years at the family camp on Schoodic Lake. There are many wonderful memories of family gatherings at camp. Bernice was a dedicated homemaker and took great pride in the appearance of her home. She especially loved working in her flower gardens. Cooking for her family brought her great pleasure. She was known throughout the family, and beyond, for chocolate chip cookies, whoopee pies, apple turnovers, yeast rolls, and fresh-cut deep-fried french fries. She is survived by her children, Donna Ayer of Greenbush, Skip Ayer and wife, Barbie, of Bangor, Tommy Ayer and wife, Candy, of Glenburn, Billy Ayer and wife, Dawn, of Bangor, Carolyn Ayer and Mike Foster of Hermon and Belinda Sullivan and husband, Dana, of Carmel; sisters, Virginia Sanfacon of Rochester, N.H., and Ruthie Gagnon of Somersworth, N.H.; brother, Willard Crosby and wife, Shirley, of Brewer; grandchildren, Christopher and Barbie, Jennifer and Chris, Jeremiah, Jessie, Wally and Allison, Emily and Chris, Mary and Sam, John and Teri, Todd, Corey, Matthew, Joseph, Dustin and Christina, Jimmy, Sunshine and Stan, Shannon, Cody and Fawn, Nick, and Tyler; great-grandchildren, C.J., Brittany, Kacee, Billy, Bruce, Logan, Hailee, Alex, Scarlet, Christopher, Liam, Teagan, Justin and Natasha, Marina, Sydney, Drew, Tyneesha, Kaija and Jordan; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Donald W. Ayer Sr.; and a dear friend, Grace Rogers. The family would like to thank the many caregivers from A Loving Touch, Arcadia Health Services, New Hope Hospice and Atlantic Home Health, who lovingly cared for Mom. With their help we were able to honor her wish to be at home. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pam, Kristen, Sherry, Harmony and Cathy. We would also like to thank Alicia Black, Mom’s hairdresser. We appreciate her efforts to keep Mom’s hair looking so good throughout the years. Private family interment will take place in the spring for Bernice and her husband, Donald, at Blackman Cemetery, Eddington. Gifts in her memory may be made to My Friends Place, 703 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Meals-on-Wheels, 450 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.
BERNICE P. AYER
