Judith Rivinus Fuller
BADDECK, Nova Scotia - On a bright sunny afternoon, April 19, 2008, Judith Rivinus Fuller died peacefully at home in the embrace of family and friends. Her wishes were to spend her final days in full view of her gardens and the blue waters of the Bras d'Or Lakes. On April 17, being of sound and a most determined mind, she resolutely marched outside to sit and bask in the bright warming sunlight to reaffirm the ‘renewal of life' as her early spring flowers commenced to bloom. Her extensive gardens gave deep meaning and enduring sustenance to her spiritual life as well as a release from the mundane affairs of every day life.
Judith was born on July 2, 1946, in Boston, Mass. She grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., with her parents and six siblings. She attended the Springside School in Chestnut Hill, Pa. She graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, Mass., in 1964. She graduated from Boston's Children's Hospital Nursing School in 1967. After her graduation she nursed in Boston to get her nursing feet wet.
In 1968 she picked up and drove across the United States to San Francisco, Calif., where she worked for over a year at the Haight Ashbury Clinic that provided medical care to the growing counter-culture in America. She also worked at the University of California's San Francisco Neonatal ICU unit. In the fall of 1969 she again crossed the USA to nurse in Boston and to be closer to family and friends.
In September, 1970, she married Henry Weld Fuller in Philadelphia. The wedding took place in her parent's back yard. This was the beginning of a 38-year marriage of which the last 35 years were spent in Big Harbor overlooking the waters of the Bras D'Or Lakes. The years 1970 to 1973 were spent in England and Newfoundland. Judith worked at a hospital in Clapham Common, London, U.K. (1970-71) and at the Janeway Children's Hospital (1971-73) in St. John's, Newfoundland.
In June of 1973 Judith gave birth to Susanna Drake Fuller in St. John's, Newfoundland. Six weeks later a big move was made to Cape Breton to a 100-year-old subsistence farm property. This was the beginning of a life she had not planned! In 1975 Michael Rivinus Fuller was born in Sydney, N.S. She now had a "Newfie" and Cape Bretoner in her fold. What more could you ask for!
In 1979 Judith decided that she needed to embellish her nursing education. She moved to Halifax to attend Dalhousie University. She completed a Bachelor's degree in nursing in 1981 and then her Master's degree in 1983. Her MSN thesis was on affective maternal child bonding. She then taught nursing at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., from 1984 through 1989. Her mentor there was Ria Rovers who died in a tragic accident in Mexico in 1988.
In 1989 Judy returned to Baddeck where she was the driving force in creating the Victoria County Hospice Society. She was the energy for gathering the funds to start a local hospice care center. She served as the Victoria County Hospice Director from 1989 through 2001.
From 2001 until Sept. 2007 she was Baddeck's continuing care coordinator for deserving clients. Both jobs provided her with an office in the Victoria County Hospital. Her work in hospice and continuing care has made a huge impact on the lives of those she cared for and worked among. She will not be forgotten. Nor will she forget those she helped.
Outside her professional career she involved herself fully in the local community. She acted with the St. Ann's Bay Players. She provided advice on the ‘art' of her gardening to others. She was always there for her friends with timely consultations and care. She was full of energy and vitality that infected all who knew her. She gardened, made quilts and was a weaver. She was an inspirational force behind the ‘Rolling Crones', a disparate group of lady bicyclers. We can unreservedly say that she was, indeed, larger than life itself just through her pure force of character.
Judith leaves behind her mother, Ann Rivinus; two brothers, Timothy and Mark, and three sisters, Sally, Susy and Mary, and their respective spouses.
Her father, Francis Markoe Rivinus, died in 2006. Judith was on hand to care for her father when he decided to take leave of his life.
She was predeceased by a third brother, Michael, in 1973.
She has a large extended family of cousins who are hugely fond of her.
Judith is also survived by her mother-in-law, Marion Fuller Brown of York, and three sisters-in-law, Alexandra, Martha and Emily, and their spouses, Jock, Geoff and David.
On both sides of the family there are numerous spouses of siblings, nieces and nephews who will continue to bask in the joy that Judy created. All reside in the United States.
She leaves behind her husband Henry Weld Fuller and her two children, Susanna and Michael. Both children reside in Halifax. She will be deeply missed by them as she provided the stability and nurturing that allowed their family life to flourish far from extended kin. There is indeed an insurmountable abyss to be filled, but we know that life must go on.
Judith will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She made a real difference not just in her professional life, but in the lives of her wide range of diverse friends and extended family. We have witnessed testimony to this by the recent kindnesses extended by all those that loved her.
Because of the distances involved and the time parameters, a celebration of Judy's life will not take place until a specified time in the summer of 2008. Judy did not want a funeral. She wanted a celebration of her life. She wants people to smile and show a joyous countenance.
She worked very hard over the last12 months to become a "Triumphant Patient." She endured her illness with a positive demeanor that rode high on "dignity of self presentation" and a commitment to lead by example. We are all indebted to her spirit and her unique force of character that will indeed be a hard act to follow. She was triumphant right to her very last breath! In our memories she will always remain so as embodied in the quote below.
In the pool that is encircling you now I just want to tell you something. As Judy lay dying, I closed my eyes and thought of her in all her guises I have known, from when I was tiny to last year. I prayed for you and Susanna and Michael to have the strength to bear you through whatever comes, with peace. As I opened my eyes, the sun came through a low overcast sky with summer-like heat. I heard the birds singing and the sound of children's voices and thought, "Just as she would want it to be." - From Genevieve Anderson Morgan, a niece
Judith requested donations be made to the Victoria County Hospice Society to help carry on the good work she started. Donations in her name may be sent to: Victoria County Hospice Society, PO Box 279, and Baddeck, NS Canada B0E 1B0.
Albion Goodrich, Jr.
KITTERY - Albion "Albie" Wallace Goodrich, Jr., of Kittery died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, following a brief battle with cancer.
Albion was born in Portsmouth, N.H., on Sept. 21, 1939. He was the devoted son of Albion W. Goodrich, Sr., and Roberta "Bobbie" S. (Whitten) Goodrich and oldest of seven children. Albion graduated from Portsmouth High School June 1957 then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, active from 1959 to 1962. After the Navy, Albion served as sheet metal tradesmen in Union Hall #17, #545 and #297.
Albion married Marilyn McKenney on April 17, 1960, and raised a healthy and happy family in York. Along with wife Marilyn, they owned and operated the Mic-Mac Motel, located in York, for over 30 years.
Albion served his family, friends, and community with devotion, faith, pride and respect. Always active in the community, Albion coached baseball, football and hockey through youth programs to junior high and high School levels for over 40 years. Albion is recognized for starting the York Youth Hockey program in 1970 along with the help of others. Most recently, Albion assisted the York High School baseball program.
Most of all, he loved his family, friends and community with all his heart. Albion was always available to listen to a friend or stranger, he strived to be a positive and a good role model. Albion's passion for local history and preserving those honorable soldiers from the Civil War was instrumental in identifying names of local soldiers that fought in the Civil War. These soldiers are now recognized and not forgotten. He was a proud member of the U.S Submarine Veterans, Thresher base and Legion Post #56. Albion belonged to many organizations such as the York Community Service, Rotary, Moose Lodge, York Food Pantry, Youth Bible Studies and USN Submarine Veterans.
Albion is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Marilyn (McKenney) Goodrich; Committed father to his daughter, Christine A. Goodrich Blasi of Kittery, and sons, Sean and Shannon Goodrich of San Diego, Calif.; a clan of grandchildren, Brianna and Brittney Blasi of Kittery, and Alden, Whitten, Sawyer and Morgan Osborne-Goodrich of San Diego, Calif. He is great-grandfather to Sophia and Jacob Blasi; brother of Robert A. Goodrich of Portsmouth, Kenneth J. Goodrich of Brookfield, John C. Goodrich of Dover, Katherine E. Scammon of Florida, Karen M. Firment of North Carolina and Margaret Barnett of Florida.
A memorial service for Albion was held April 19 in the Middle Street Baptist Church, Portsmouth, N.H., with burial in the First Parish Cemetery, York. Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, http://www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com/, is directing arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the York Community Service Association P.O. Box 85 Cape Neddick, ME 03902.
Philip Paradis
ELIOT - Philip N. Paradis, 76, of 117 Fore Road, and former resident of Old Beech Ridge Road, York, died Monday, April 14, 2008, in the SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation, Portsmouth, N.H.
He was born June 20, 1931, in Portland, son of Leo and Bessie Fay (Davis) Paradis. He worked for Sprague Oil Co. as a truck driver for 30 years and later drove for Granite State Mineral for 10 years before retiring. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 633 and loved playing country music every Thursday in Eliot.
He leaves his wife of 34 years, Joyce E. (Gibney) Paradis; two sons, Joseph L. Paradis of Mineola, Texas, and James L. Paradis of Somersworth, N.H.; two daughters, Kathy M. Cresta of York and Debra A. Hodgkins of Northwood, N.H.; four stepchildren, Deborah Judkins of Sheffield, Vt., Cindy Grady of Laconia, N.H., Roxie Carmen of Portsmouth, N.H., and Stephen Carmen of Salt Lake City, Utah; a brother, Donald Paradis of Osteen, Fla.; a sister, Llona Gardner of Kittery Point, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on May 3 in the Eliot Grange Hall. Burial will be private in the First Parish Cemetery, York.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home is directing arrangements. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.
Jane Wagner
YORK - Jane Wagner, 74, continued on her journey toward eternal life on April 26, 2008.
The only child of George A. and Maryellen Eaton Wood, Jane Ann was born on July 9, 1933. She was fond of noting that hers was only the second birth at York Hospital in this depression year.
Jane had a wonderful childhood in York, spending winters on Barrell Lane and summers at Camp Eaton Campground, her parents' business. The big challenge each fall was to get her to lower her voice and put on shoes when school began. She attended York Schools through sophomore grade. Her junior and senior years were spent at Kendall Hall School for Girls in Peterborough, N.H. Jane Wood was the final graduate of the school, which closed in 1951.
Jane pursued her wish to become a nurse by attending Newton-Wellesley Hospital's nurse training program. However, that ambition was abandoned when she met and married Burton Wagner on Sept. 12, 1953. Jane and Bud lived and raised their children in the Finger Lakes Region of New York and in Sudbury, Mass., before returning to York Harbor to take over the family business in 1970. Together they operated Camp Eaton until they retired in 1991. The Wagners recently shared their 54th wedding anniversary.
Jane enjoyed travel and her many adventures included family hiking and camping trips to the White Mountains, the Adirondacks and Prince Edward Island; walking tours of the British Isles, Ireland and Hawaii; driving the length of New Zealand, and trips to ancient Egypt, Central America and the West Indies. She walked several miles almost daily, both around the village of York and the many sand beaches of her winter home in Sanibel, Fla. During these walks, Jane was a keen observer of nature, often stopping to appreciate a wildflower, bird nest or spider web.
A deep faith in God and Jesus Christ was practiced by Jane in each community in which she lived. She taught Sunday school and coordinated hours at the Thrift Shop at St Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Sudbury. In York Harbor, Jane served for more than 12 years on the altar guild and was the assistant treasurer at St. George's. She delivered Meals on Wheels for 15 years in the York area. When in Sanibel, Jane planned and coordinated meal deliveries for F.I.S.H. (Friends in Service Here).
In 2004, Jane was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was grateful to have the loving support and thoughtful prayers of family, friends and neighbors over the next four years. She especially wanted to thank the staff and her doctor at York Hospital Oncology Treatment Center for their skill and compassionate care.
Jane is survived by her spouse, Burton F. Wagner; children, Peter T. Wagner and wife Kathryn, and Pamela W. Nickless and husband Gary; grandchildren Erin E. Wagner, Molly E. Wagner, Seth P. Wagner, Sean E. Nickless and Brian J. Nickless, and a much-loved sister-in-law Elizabeth L. Wagner.
Her first child, Kenneth W. Wagner, predeceased her in 1959.
A memorial service was held May 1, 2008, at St. George's Episcopal Church in York Harbor with burial in the First Parish Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Jane's name to St George's Episcopal Church, 407 York St., York Harbor, ME 03911. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.
