SEARSMONT – Viola E. (Skinner) Cushman, 93, passed away peacefully March 20, 2012, surrounded by her family at her residence. She was born March 24, 1913, in Millbury, Mass., daughter of George F. and Ethel (Chaplin) Skinner.
Viola met her late husband, Lawrence E. Cushman Sr., at a church social and married in 1932. Together they raised 13 children. Viola not only raised her family, but also worked as a seamstress for Belfast Manufacturing, as well as Van Balen, Rockland. She was a member of Eastern Star for more than 70 years. She was an active member of Searsmont Methodist Church, where she played the organ, led the choir and taught Sunday school for many years. Viola was incredibly strong willed, and always accepted and dealt with all that life presented her with a positive outlook. She was a cancer survivor for more than 27 years. Viola’s life was full with family, friends and activities.
She enjoyed riding her exercise bike until she was 95. She enjoyed gardening, playing rummy and Scrabble with her family, crocheting and knitting. She also enjoyed baking, reading and puzzle books, even at age 97. She received the Boston Cane Award. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors include seven sons, John and his wife, Josephine, of Searsmont, George and wife, Thelma, of Penacook, N.H., Robert Sr. and wife, Shirley, of Belmont, David and wife, Sylvia, of New Hampshire, Stephen of Texas, James and wife, Sherlene, of Tennessee, and Lawrence Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Delaware; six daughters, Esther Recce and friend, Donald Burckhard, of California, Ruth Merrifield of Searsmont, Bertha Ruuk and husband, Harold, of Tennessee, Mary Baron of Belmont, Dorothy Sherwood and husband, Paul, of Orland, and Janice Glidden and husband, Reginald, of Orrington; 40 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren, 26 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Esther Ryan of Searsmont and Ruth Skinner of Florida; also two special nieces, Marion Bagley of Bowdoinham and Lucille Chadwick of New Hampshire. She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence E. Cushman Sr.; parents, George and Ethel Skinner; two brothers, George H. and Ralph Skinner; four grandsons, Dennis Cushman, Jerome and Roderick Gelo, and Scott Merrifield; daughters-in-law, Esther Cushman and Trinia Cushman; and son-in-law, Raymond Baron.
A celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at Searsmont Methodist Church with Pastor George Hodkins officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. Online condolences may be offered to the family at
www.ripostafh.com.