WATERBORO – Louise A. Pike, 98, died Tuesday morning March 2, 2021, in her sleep at the Kennebunk Center for Health and Rehabilitation. She had been a resident there since February 2020.

Louise was born in Saco on Feb. 21, 1923, the daughter of Thomas W. and Alice D. (Ladd) Harris. She went to local Saco schools, including a one-room schoolhouse in rural Saco; she graduated from Thornton Academy.

After graduating she worked for various local businesses. In 1943 she married her Thornton classmate and next-door neighbor, Harold K. “Bud” Pike. When Bud was drafted into the Marine Corps, Louise followed him to California where he was finishing his advanced training. While there she gave birth to a son, Ronald. As World War II ended, they moved back to Maine and built a house next to her parents on Boom Road in Saco. Except for a few years in California during the early ‘50s, they lived there until 1968, when they moved to Ossipee Lake where Bud had built a year-round camp. Louise was a beloved member of the North Waterboro Community Baptist Church.

The years at Ossipee Lake were some of the happiest for family and friends. One of the many pleasures for the family was the meals Louise tirelessly prepared for everyone. Even into her early 90’s she cooked for her close family, like baked beans and biscuits and chocolate cake, every Saturday night.

For over 20 years one of the many highlights of their retirement was travelling across country in various forms of RV, visiting family and friends in Montana, New Mexico, and California before wintering in Arizona at Pioneer Travel Trailer Park.

Louise was a great cook, a kind, considerate, and gentle woman, with a subtle sense of humor. She worked hard all her life and never complained about her circumstances. Louise accepted her life as it happened, with grace and quiet strength. She was, without a doubt, one of the best.

Louise is survived by her sons, Ronald, Russell, and Reed, her daughter Lois; eight grandchildren (she was particularly close with her first grandchild, Tammy Desjardins and her husband, Billy); eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; many nieces and nephews, including special nieces Mary Welch, Kathy McKenney, and Beverly Nixon. Also surviving is her brother, Thomas C. Harris and wife, Vyra of Saco.

She was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Harold K. “Bud” Pike in 2017.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at 11 a.m. at Laurel Hill Cemetery, in Saco. Please be aware that masks and social distancing will be adhered to.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit http://www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com.

The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations may be made to the

North Waterboro Community Baptist Church

P.O. Box 3

No. Waterboro, ME 04061