SEDGWICK – Rita Mae Grindle, 96, a lifetime resident of West Sedgwick, and more recently of Penobscot Nursing Home, passed away June 26, 2011. She was born Jan. 6, 1915, in Sedgwick, daughter of James E. and Effie (Green) Douglass.
Rita was a loving wife, mother, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of three. Rita enjoyed sewing and other handcrafts. She made numerous wedding gowns, and was noted for her skill in making Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. She made scarves that were donated to Brainardsville Methodist Church’s Mitten Tree, which was founded by her daughter, and crocheted afghans for Project Linus. Rita was quite crafty and could make just about anything. Rita spent 15 years during the winter months with her daughter and family in New York after Basil’s passing. Rita and Basil raked blueberries for numerous years side-by-side in their blueberry pasture, just up the road from their home in West Sedgwick. Rita also helped Basil for many years tying bows for wreaths at Christmas time. Rita and Basil were inseparable.
She is survived by four grandchildren, John B. Pulsifer of Highland Mills, N.Y., Nancy J. Pulsifer of Dannemora, N.Y., Kevin D. Pulsifer and his companion, Barbara Gioffre, of Monroe, N.Y., and Karen P. Morgan and her husband, Raymond, of Blooming Grove, N.Y.; a son-in-law, John F. Pulsifer of Brainardsville, N.Y.; two great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kayla Pulsifer of Dannemora, N.Y., several nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by her husband of more 50 years, Basil W. Grindle, in 1987; son, Allen W. Grindle, in 1934; daughter, Jeanette Grindle Pulsifer, in 2007; great-grandson, Daniel C. Morgan, in 2008; four brothers and four sisters.
A calling hour will be held 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St., Blue Hill, with a funeral service to begin 10 a.m. Interment will be at Camp Stream Cemetery, West Sedgwick. Those who desire to make contributions in Rita’s memory may do so to Rita’s great-grandson’s memorial scholarship fund, The Daniel C. Morgan Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Nancy J. Pulsifer, P.O. Box 895, Dannemora, NY 12929. Condolences may be expressed at
www.jordanfernald.com.