SANFORD — Starr M. Almond, 81, of Sanford, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 following a lengthy illness.

 

Starr was born on July 14, 1937 to Benjamin and Florence (Jefferson) Small in Lewiston where she grew up and attended local schools.  She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1955 where she played basketball for a winning girls team.

 

As a young girl she joined a local dance studio and excelled at a routine known as toe tapping which she performed throughout central and western Maine.  She was a cashier at several local stores and taught sewing at the local YWCA.  In 1957 she married Peter Almond and for the next 16 years she was a military wife, accompanying her husband up and down the east coast from Maine to Florida, to Virginia and Massachusetts.

 

After retiring from the military life in 1973, Starr and her husband settled in Sanford, Maine where she became active in the local church community.  She was especially involved in the Charismatic Evangelical movement and worked with teenagers to help them throughout their difficult years.  During her working life she held several jobs including Sprague Electric, Ames Department Store and Brooks/Rix Drugs where she loved interacting with her customers.

 

Starr loved her family and attended all of their school functions.  She especially loved watching her daughter and granddaughter at all of their dance recitals and competitions and helped in alterations on all of their costumes. What pleased her the most was when her husband learned to tap dance at the age of 68 and performed with the girls at various recitals. Starr also was able to see her great granddaughter’s dancing debut. She made sure that she never missed a performance.

 

After suspending her church sponsored activities due to declining health, she continued a full spiritual life with a close group of prayer warriors donating time and resources to help the less fortunate.

 

Starr was predeceased by her parents, by her brother, Edward Small and by her sister-in-law, Cathy.

 

Surviving are her husband of 61 years, Peter Almond of Sanford; a daughter, Karen Almond of Sanford; a son, Scott Almond of Destin, Florida; a granddaughter, Amanda Almond and great-granddaughter Lauren Starlynn Spaulding of Springvale; A grandson, Chase Almond and his wife Kristie with great-grandson Kase of Claxton, Georgia and a niece, Bonnie Underwood of Forrest Grove, Oregon.

 

She also leaves behind many memories of helping family and friends throughout the country.  Rest peacefully Starr, you will be dearly missed. 

 

At Starr’s request, a private graveside service will be held at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale at a later date.

 

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

 

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.

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