Helen Elizabeth Rickards

Helen Elizabeth
    Rickards
     BATTLEGROUND, WASH. -- Helen Elizabeth Rickards died Sept. 4, 2006. She was born Dec. 26, 1923, daughter of Mott and Mary Ryer White in Dover, N.H. She attended Sanford schools and graduated from Notre Dame Hospital School of Nursing in Manchester, N.H. It was there she met her future husband of 54 years on a blind date. She married James W. (Bill) Rickards on Nov. 17, 1946. Their abiding love continues to be an inspiration to their family.
     Her family settled in Gorham where she supported her husband at his pharmacies in Gorham, Standish, and Buxton. She worked in the well-baby clinics and was an active member of the School Street United Methodist Church. She enjoyed spending summers at their camp on Panther Pond.
     Bill and Helen spent an active retirement in Venice, Fla. After Bill's passing in 2000, she made her home with her daughter's family in Battleground, Wash. She was an avid reader and shared her love of books with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren right up to the time of her passing.
     She was predeceased by her loving husband, Bill; her parents; her stepmother, Pauline White; her brother, Hayes White; and her sisters, Doris Jones and Gustie George.
     She is survived by her daughter Nancy and her husband David Martin, and their children Christine, Darren, and Brian of Washington State; three sons: Jim and his wife Patty and their children Katie, Zach, Mike, and Sam of New Gloucester; David and his wife Kathy and their children Kelly and Andy of Brunswick; and Scott and his wife Lisa and their daughter Ashley of Sarasota, Fla.; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Polly Rock of Sanford.
    Memorial donations may be made in her name to a charity of one's choice or to:
     Independence Association
     87 Baribeau Drive
     Brunswick, Maine 04011.
     A service was held Sept. 5 in Battleground, Wash. Funeral arrangements were made by Layne Funeral Homes