BRIDGTON – Catherine Lois Fisher died 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, in Bridgton, at the age of 85 years and 20 days. Her health had been failing during the past couple of years due to diabetes. However, more recently, she was treated for pneumonia at Bridgton Hospital from which she failed to rally. Lois was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Easton, daughter of Verde Harold Hersey of Easton and Millie McCarty of Westfield. She was the seventh born of nine and the last deceased. Her siblings were Verna Jewell, Vena Ames, Madeline Gardner, Virginia Wiggins, John Hersey, Lorna Lemieux, Elizabeth Tweedie and Robert Hersey.
She graduated from Easton High School in 1945 and continued her education at Aroostook State Normal School, Presque Isle, now known as the University of Maine at Presque Isle. On Aug. 31, 1947, she married Ralph Benjamin Hagerman of Mars Hill. From this union three children were born: Roxanna Rae Hagerman, Ralph “Rick” Hagerman Jr., who was tragically killed during a hurricane in the Virgin Islands in September 1995, and Greggory Kent Hagerman of Bridgton, who was also sadly killed by a drunk driver Jan. 30, 1993. Lois was predeceased by a second husband, Lawson A. Fisher of Fort Fairfield. She was an amazing potato-picker who out-picked all other women by totaling 100 barrels a day at times. Mrs. Fisher moved to Bridgton from Mars Hill to be closer to her grandchildren, Ali and Ryan; as well as her faithful canine friend, Racheme. She was a collector of many things, some of which included Larry Bird memorabilia, antiques, photographs, Beanie Babies and rabbits. She adored dogs and tolerated cats. She did a great deal of traveling with her sister-in-law, Mary Hagerman; and her niece, Nancy. She was feisty in nature yet petite in size. For many years Lois volunteered for the Foster Grandparent Program, where she cared for children while their parents earned their GED.
She is survived by a daughter, Roxanna Rae Hagerman of Bridgton; four grandchildren, Patrick Ahern of Saco, Ali Rae Hagerman of Arlington, Va., Ryan Pellegrini of Bath and India Rae Bell of Bridgton; twin great-grandchildren, Kendall and Reese Darling-Pellegrini of Bath; a daughter-in-law, Susan Pellegrini-Allison, also of Bath; brother-in-law, James H. Tweedie of Robinson; many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She was especially close to nieces, Patti Tweedie McCrum of Mars Hill and the late Sharon Gardner of Florida.
A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Burial will be in the spring.