SULLIVAN – Cecelia C. Richards, R.N., 89, passed away peacefully Oct. 21, 2011, in her sleep at her daughter’s home in Windsor, after a period of declining health. She was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Skowhegan. She was the foster daughter of Ellery and Alice Farnham of Dexter.
Mrs. Richards attended schools in Dexter, and graduated from N.H. Fay High School and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing, Boston. She attended Simmons College School of Public Health and Boston University CLA. On Oct. 12, 1946, she married Malcolm E. Richards of Guilford. He predeceased her in January 1996. From 1947 to 1954, they lived in Boston, where she was employed at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital as head nurse, supervisor and administrative assistant of Nursing Services. They returned to Maine in 1954 and lived in Steuben until 1960 when they moved to Sullivan. In 1971 she went to work as the first school nurse in Union No. 96 School District, until she retired in 1987. Mrs. Richards served on many health and education boards and committees, and community organizations. She was a member of Irene Chapter No. 97, Order of the Eastern Star; founder and past president of Auburn Assembly No. 262, Social Order of the Beauceant; and an honorary member of Maine School Nurses Association.
She is survived by a son, Malcolm E. “Mickey” Richards Jr. and his wife, Bonnie, of Glenburn; her daughter, Rebecca Richards of Windsor; and grandchildren, Alex and Ryan Wood, and Mary Pendleton. A special thanks to grandsons, Alex and his friend, Falyn, and Ryan and his friend, Nicki, for the loving care they gave “Lady Teela” at home during her last few months.
A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Auburn Masonic Temple, 1021 Turner St., Auburn. Committal prayers will be offered 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the chapel of Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Auburn Assembly No. 262 – SOOB, care of Mrs. L. Richard Duross, 284 Bradley St., Saco, ME 04072-3107. Local arrangements are in the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor.