NORRIDGEWOCK – Alice E. Emery of Norridgewock, who celebrated her 85th birthday on March 28, passed away peacefully from multiple health problems on April 26, 2021, at The Cedars of Portland, where, during her brief stay, she was lovingly cared for by its staff and by members of Hospice of Southern Maine. In death, Alice joins her younger twin sister Avis Emery, born just seven minutes after her in 1936. Avis died on Jan. 2, 2021.A lifelong Norridgewock resident, Alice lived with Avis in the house their grandfather built, and was raised there by her late parents, Erban and Ruth (Johnson) with their brothers Edward, Raymond, and Clarence, all of whom predeceased her. Alice, a very strong student, was educated in Norridgewock and graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1955. Lack of finances prevented her from attending college, but she used her keen native intelligence in every walk of life, and was continually observing others and applying lessons learned in and out of the classroom, all for the betterment of others.Originally employed at Norrwock Shoe Company, she was asked by Harold Alfond to come to work for his family as a housekeeper, and for the next 45 years, in Belgrade Lakes, in Waterville, and in Florida, Alice demonstrated her loyalty, her work ethic, her common sense, and her prankish sense of humor with indomitable and legendary Maine grit. She also closely followed Bibby and Harold Alfond’s commitment to others and became a true philanthropist in her own right, making significant contributions to the Norridgewock Historical Society; the Norridgewock Fire Department; Pine Tree Camp; The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers; and Maine General Hospital, where she gave a tropical fish tank in the waiting room of the radiation suite. She specifically chose this gift as a way to offer a sense of peacefulness to patients undergoing cancer treatment, and endowed its maintenance and perpetual care only after, as she said, “she could make sure that the hospital staff was taking good care of the fish”.On her days off, when in Maine, Alice always returned home to Norridgewock to spend time with Avis and with the family of her dear friend, Rosalie Perkins, who, with her husband Colby and daughters Kimberly, Sarah, and Rebecca, showed the utmost love and devotion. Besides Rosalie, Alice leaves behind her very close friend and colleague Sally Downing of Belgrade and the entire Alfond family, whose love and appreciation for Alice extended long after their parents’ death. She will never be forgotten.Visiting hours will be held on Saturdaym May 1, 2021m from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Alice and Avis will be interred together following the visitation. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. at the Friends Cemetery in Fairfield, Maine.Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Anyone who wishes to leave the family messages can do so on our website at – http://www.smartandedwardsfh.com

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Obituary: Robert H. Morton

Next »

Obituary: J. Donald Lavoie