Marita Joy Tenan

Marita Joy (Nelson) Tenan, age 92, passed peacefully into Heaven on September 26, 2025, surrounded by her

family.

Marita was born in Columbia, Maine, on August 18, 1933, to Georgia A. (Merritt) Nelson and Lawrence P.

Nelson, the eldest of seven children. She was educated at the Coffin District School in Columbia, Harrington

High School, and, when the family moved to Cherryfield, she graduated from Cherryfield Academy, Class of

1951.

Marita "had her eyes (and heart) set" on a tall, quiet man, Charles A. Tenan, whom she married on January 9,

1954. Together, they made their home on their beloved Ridge Road (Tenan Lane) in Cherryfield where they

raised two daughters and spent almost 59 years together until Charles passed away on November 8, 2012.

She was raised in a large, very loving and family-oriented family. She exemplified dedication to family and

friends all her life, sharing her love with her family and friends. She cared for many children and provided

meals to elderly friends and "shut-ins." She was a loving, devoted and doting daughter, sister, wife, Mama,

Nannie, Great-Nannie (G-Nan) and Aunt Rita (ReRe).

Charles and Rita were both members of the Washburn Grange #491 where she cooked for many "bean suppers."

She was a gifted singer and, though she did not care for the attention it brought, performed solos and sang

harmony with Charles on the televised "Frankenstein's Country Jamboree" which later became, "Stacey's

Country Jamboree" from 1963 until 1983. They toured with the show throughout Maine and the Canadian

Maritime Provinces where they made many friends, in particular, Eleanor and Eldon Rudolph.

Many babies were privileged to hear her lovely singing voice while being rocked (pumping) in a rocking chair,

a beloved trait she inherited from her mother. It must never be underestimated the amount of love she had for all

her family, but especially for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and especially her great

granddaughter. They were the absolute joy of her life and their love and admiration for her in return is

immeasurable. She leaves an enormous void but many precious memories.

Marita was predeceased by her parents, younger brother Gary Nelson (age 9), her husband, and sisters Donna

Young and Yvonne Sinclair; brothers-in law, Thomas Martin, Sr., C. Foster Mathews, James Sinclair, Sr, and

Louie Santerre. She was predeceased on her husband's side by her mother-in-law, Maryanna (Willey) Tenan,

brothers-in-law Adfer, Neil, Eugene and Victor Tenan, sisters-in-law Lois, Ellen, and Eileen Tenan and Elaine

Redimarker. She was predeceased by a nephew Thomas Martin, Jr. and niece Ellen Cirone and dear friends,

Mary Morse, Phyllis Sproul, Erma Willey and special cousin Connie Strout.

She leaves behind two daughters, Rhonda Perry (Paul) and Charlene Hammond (Courtney), grandchildren

Holly Sargent, Darrin Sargent (and their father James Sargent, Jr.), Matthew Perry (Stephanie), Michael Perry

(Karyn), Robbie Hammond (Nicholas), Aidan Hammond (Ellie), and Ashton Hammond; great-granddaughters

Lucy, Addison, Clara, Carolynn, and Emilynn Perry and her youngest love, Evelyn Hammond. She also leaves

behind her sisters Jessie Santerre and Leta Mathews, brother Ronnie Nelson and sister-in-law Judith Tenan;

nieces and nephews Arthur, Laurie, Lori, Janis, Juli, Larry, Andy, Glen, Louann, Emily, Brian, Amy, Katie,

Allison, Jamey, and Adam; 34 great-nieces and nephews and special cousins, the "Corinth Gang," Joyce Boone,

Nancy Campbell, Louene Sullivan, and Ann Lenz, and friend Janey Randall.

Many thanks for the wonderful care provided to Marita by the folks at Milbridge Medical Center, Pleasant

River Ambulance Service, Down East Community Hospital, LifeFlight of Maine, Machias Ambulance and NL

Eastern Maine Medical Center CCU.

At her request, no public services will be held. A private remembrance will be held at a later date to be decided.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to:

Cherryfield Academy Community Center: C/O Lori Barbee, 53 Main St, Cherryfield, ME 04622

Narraguagus Nursery School: C/O Lori Barbee, PO Box 131, Cherryfield, ME 04622

Pleasant River Ambulance Service: 183 US Hwy 1, Columbia, ME 04623

"If There's Medals for Mothers, Momma You'll Win Every One," as performed by Rhonda Vincent