News: Memorials
In Memoriam
Betty Ann Snider
CARIBOU – Betty Ann (Burtt) Snider, 74, Feb. 10, 2012, Betty followed her parents into a life of no more suffering. She passed with the sun on her face, her family and friends by her side and love in her heart. Betty was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and a dear friend. Her life began in the town of Presque Isle. Born the daughter of Sidney Carlton Burtt and Mildred Mureal (McLean) Burtt on a beautiful day, Jan. 26, 1938.
Betty lived her childhood days in Presque Isle living life to the fullest. Playing with relatives and friends out at the lake, riding the neighbor’s horses bareback through the mountains and getting into mischief as Betty was known for. Betty worked many years as a chef and manager for multiple local restaurants after getting married. She eventually put herself through nursing school and graduated with honors. This was a great accomplishment due to the fact that she was a single mom with three children at home. Three active girls who as she always claimed was her greatest accomplishment. Betty took great pride in her title as mother. She was so proud; all you had to do is ask. There was not a day that went by that she didn’t talk with "her girls." She cherished every moment with them reliving stories of her past and making new. She made being a mother look easy, instilling confidence and compassion in those who would continue in her place. Betty also worked at Cary Medical Center for over 20 years. Betty’s nickname at CMC was "Sarge." As those who had an opportunity to work with her knew why. She was a determined, hardworking woman and didn’t tolerate anything but the best for the patients during her shift. Many patients requested her upon admission. Why? Not because she had the most credentials but because she treated everyone with dignity. Regardless of their background, education or status in the community, everyone was someone. She retired from CMC and worked for many local families as a caregiver. Caring for others is what she thrived on, not selfish or judgmental, it was truly what she was meant to do. Betty’s life story is all about caring for others. She was always there with an encouraging word, a helping hand and most of all a kind soul. She will be sadly missed and never forgotten. She is now whole again, no more suffering, no more medications, no more struggling to breath. She is young and healthy, riding her horse bareback once again. We will see you again our daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend. Now I lay me down to sleep …
She was predeceased by her mother and father. Betty is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Compton) Morin and husband, Bob, of Caribou, Jeanna (Compton) Elwood and husband, Noah, of Dover, N.H., and Joelle (Snider) Rioux and husband, Chris, of Orono; grandchildren, Mindy Morin of Portland, Jennifer Waltman and her husband, Jessie, of Washburn, Tyler McNally of Dover, N.H., Kristen McNally of Dover, N.H., and Julia Rioux of Orono; and great-grandchildren, Oscar and Aurora Waltman of Washburn and Ava McNally of Dover, N.H. She also leaves behind her brother, James Burtt and his wife, Audrey, of Washburn; her sister, Jean Reed and her husband, Laco, of Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Cheryl Newbegin, Dr. Sherri Dumont, staff at Cary Medical Center, and Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center for their exceptionally kind and loving care.
Funeral services were held Feb. 14, at Caribou United Baptist Church with Pastor Josh Burden officiating. Interment will take place in the spring at Fairmount Cemetery, Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s name to Shriner’s Hospital for Children at http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or to the Halfway Home Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at
www.lancastermorgan.com.
Barb Thompson
Members of the AFGE Local 294 union recently donated a memorial gift of $500 to Halfway Home Pet Rescue (HHPR) in honor of their co-member Barbara Thompson who died unexpectantly on April 18, 2011. Ms. Thompson was a dedicated animal welfare advocate. AFGE President, Mark Durinski gave the gift in her memory. The memorial funds will be used for the spay/neuter voucher program.
Mable R. Tarr
CARIBOU and PERHAM - Mable R. Tarr, 94, wife of the late Edmund Tarr, died April 21, 2011, in Mars Hill, after a short illness. She was born March 2, 1917, in Caswell, daughter of the late Hans and Anna (Laursen) Rasmussen. Mrs. Tarr was a member of Dunntown Advent Christian Church, Wade, and was employed by the Birdseye Division of General Foods, Caribou, for more than 25 years. Mable is survived by her nephew and wife, Dwight and Elizabeth Stickles of Caribou, who were her caregivers for more than 15 years, and she will also be greatly missed by their dog, Koko I, whom she dearly loved. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Services were held Saturday, April 23, at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou, and funeral services held 2 p.m. with Pastor Mary Lou Brown officiating. Interment will be at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta. Mable had a great love for animals and while living in Perham, there were always dogs, cats, hens, ducks and other animals around her home and yard, with most having names and being treated as pets. Friends who wish to contribute in her memory may do so through Halfway Home Pet Rescue Building Fund, P.O. Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736.

Lucianne M. Belanger
CARIBOU - Lucianne M. Belanger, 78, died Nov. 17, 2010, in Presque Isle. She was born Sept. 1, 1932, in Caribou, the daughter of Salomon and Olive (Cyr) Belanger. She was a graduate of Caribou High School and Columbia University in New York with a teacher's degree. Lucianne taught school in New York City for 23 years, with the Caribou school system for 17 years and at the University of Maine at Presque Isle for 15 years. She was a member of Parish of the Precious Blood, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and National Honor Society in psychology. She is survived by a brother, Albert Belanger of Colorado; a sister, Sister Marie Pauline Belanger, O.S.U., of Dedham, Mass.; nine nieces and 10 nephews. Lucianne was predeceased by five brothers, Hortense Cyr, Toby, Gilles, Roger and Luc-Cyr Belanger; and two sisters, Geraldine Belanger and Theresa Ruey. A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, Nov. 22, at Parish of the Precious Blood, Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Interment will take place at Old Holy Rosary Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Lucianne may do so to Halfway Home Pet Rescue. Arrangements are by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
Jean B. Durham
BANGOR and ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - Jean B. Durham, 68, died Jan. 14, 2010, surrounded by her family at a Zephyrhills, Fla., hospital after a short illness. She was born March 2, 1941, in Westerly, R.I., the daughter of Randolph L. and Clarissa (Thompson) Bickford. Jean graduated from Bangor High School in 1959. Prior to her retirement in 2001, Jean had worked for the University of Maine for a number of years. Jean is survived by her husband, James Durham of Zephyrhills, Fla.; daughter, Laurel Cates and her husband, Brent, of Glenburn; son, Brian True of Bangor; sister, Ann B. Hall and husband, Charles, of Teaticket, Mass.; brother, Robert L. Bickford and wife, Joan, of Wiscasset; brother, David R. Bickford and wife, Ruby, of Etna; and grandson, Nick A. Cates and special friend, Alicia Bissell. She was predeceased by her father, Randolph in 1971; and her mother, Clarissa in 2009. Jean will always be remembered for her warm smile and outgoing personality. There will be a memorial service for Jean in the spring that will be announced at a later date. Gifts in her memory may be made to Halfway Home Pet Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736.
Humane Society Events Calendar: click HERE.
News: Memorials
In Memoriam
Everett W. Milton
CARIBOU - Everett W. Milton, 76, rode the train to heaven March 3, 2010, in Bangor, after a long illness, while listening to the spring opening game of the Red Sox. An avid sports fan and a fanatic Red Sox fan, he seldom missed a game, so it was very fitting that he listened to the opening game of the Red Sox during his final hours. Everett had worked on trains for more than 25 years, 15 as a locomotive engineer. He collected trains as a hobby and during his retirement, often commented how he missed the sound of the train whistle. Just as the ball game ended, and as Everett drew his last few breaths, a train went past the hospital and blew the whistle three times, surprising, as well as comforting his family as well as the medical team. Everett then went gently to his other beloved family in heaven, leaving his earthly family comforted and chuckling, "Dad did it his way." He was born Dec. 4, 1933, in Caribou, the son of the late Wesley and Emily (Smith) Milton. He was a graduate of Caribou High School, where he was an avid basketball player. He served with the Army National Guard for eight years. He worked for 18 years at the family grocery store, Milton's Nationwide Variety on Sweden Street. He was then employed as a locomotive engineer at Loring Air Force Base for more than 20 years. In his spare time, he assisted his wife with their pet care business, Home Farm Kennels. Everett was an active member of his community. During the '50s and '60s he was active in Caribou Jaycees, holding numerous offices. He was a member of Gray Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, serving on various committees and groups. Everett was an active member of Caribou Kiwanis Club for more than 20 years and held perfect meeting attendance during that time. He worked on all club activities and was awarded "Most Distinguished Member" several years ago. Many will remember him as the "presiding judge" during Kiwanis Keystone Kops. The roots of his Kiwanis friendship ran deep and Everett valued each and every club member for their dedication to the club and its ideals. He was a member of Aroostook RSVP, serving as board chairman for two years. His valued friendships included a local group of high school friends called the "Old Man's Club" who would get together for lunch the first Thursday of every month. He will also be greatly missed at the 3 p.m. McDonald coffee hour. Everett married Norma Blackstone in 1964 and after his retirement, the couple moved to Everett's favorite spot, his cabin on the South Shore of Madawaska Lake, returning to Caribou in November 2009. Everett cherished his family and often spoke to friends and family of his favorite daughter and son. No one could compete with Everett when he was talking about his four beloved grandsons, who brought so much joy and sunshine into his failing heart whenever they would stop by. He was a dedicated pet owner and willingly gave his time to assisting his wife and others in rescuing homeless animals and in the eventual establishment of Halfway Home Pet Rescue, a state licensed rescue service. He was an important link in the volunteer chain of pet lovers who worked to provide free pet food for pet families in need. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Norma of Caribou, are his daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa and Pierre Patenaude of Mapleton; his son and daughter-in-law, Garrick and Sandra Milton of Caribou; four grandchildren, Joseph and Thomas Patenaude, and Matthew and Jacob Milton; two sisters, Ruth Ross and her husband, Emmett, of Caribou, and Samella Haley of Lakeland, Fla.; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Leigh; and a sister, Captola Parker. Friends may visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, March 8, at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Bentum officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Milton may do so through Caribou Kiwanis Scholarship Fund, Gray Memorial Methodist Church Memorial Fund or Halfway Home Pet Rescue, Inc. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
Memorial Programs Established
Although there were many blessing for Halfway Home Pet Rescue, in 2009, President Norma Milton reflects that they lost two very dedicated and loved supporters of the animal welfare organization – Clarissa T. Bickford of Etna, ME and Marie Joyce Allen of Caribou. “There are a few people who you just cannot replace in their work, commitment and love for animals. When you lose this person, you mourn with their family and when the family continues to support the shelter work and reflects that lost love, you want to commemorate their continued work in memory of that cherished animal lover and volunteer.”
Halfway Home Pet Rescue, Inc. has set up a memorial named the Clarissa T. Bickford Spay/ Neuter Voucher Memorial in honor of Bickford’s lifetime commitment to animals. Bickford died in 2009 at the age of 93. Right up to her last months, Clarissa still knit articles for the Halfway Home Pet Rescue Arts & Crafts tables and kept herself updated with the shelter’s progress. Her son, David Bickford of Etna, continues his very active support of the Free Pet Food Pantry located at the Presque Isle Animal Caribou Clinic on Herschel St. in Caribou. David and his wife, Ruby, also continue their work as a foster family for feral cats, currently providing a feline foster home situation for Felicity and Billy. The Clarissa T. Bickford Spay/Neuter Voucher Memorial provides for free spaying and neutering of young kittens that were too young for surgery before adoption. The memorial also, as funds are available, provides for free spaying/neutering for pets of low-income, disabled and elderly families. Proof of income level is required for free low-income spay/neuter vouchers.
Marie Joyce Allen
CASWELL - Marie Joyce Allen, 73, beloved wife of Archie L. Allen Sr., died peacefully in her sleep Sunday Morning, Sept. 27, 2009, at a Caribou health care facility. She was born Sept. 26, 1936, in St. Leonard, New Brunswick, the daughter of Alfred and Lillian (Bourgoine) Beaulieu. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Archie L. Allen Sr. of Caswell; two children, son Archie L. Allen Jr. of Seattle, and daughter, Patty Olson and her husband, Jes, of Fort Fairfield; three sisters, Rachel Ouellette and her husband, Lucien, of Van Buren, Vennette Beaulieu of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, and Leta Morin and her husband, Jerry, of South Carolina; two brothers, Al Beaulieu and his wife, Erma, of Ottawa, Ontario, and Real Beaulieu and his wife, Donna, of Ontario; one grandson, Chris Stevenson; one great-granddaughter, Destany Stevenson, both of Minnesota; several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Marie to Halfway Home Pet Rescue [formerly Madawaska Lake Homeless Cats].
Marie Joyce Allen was a reliable and steady financial supporter of the Halfway Home Pet Rescue, Inc. and in honor of Allen’s dedication to all animals in several different shelters, Halfway Home will dedicate a memorial plaque on site of the free pet food pantry located in Caribou which will now be known as the Marie Joyce Allen Memorial Free Pet Food Pantry. Allen’s family Jes & Patricia Olson of Fort Fairfield and her son, Archie Allen, of Kirkland, WA have continued to honor their mother with continued faithful financial support of the shelter’s programs.
The Free Pet Food Pantry is located at the Caribou Clinic of the Presque Animal Hospital on Herschel St. The pantry is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm. Low-income, disabled, elderly and currently unemployed families are given help with meeting the food supply of their family pets. In many cases during these difficult economic times, this saves the family from having to place the pet up for adoption at an animal shelter. There is no proof of income requirement for the free pet food. The shelter simply asks that each family take only enough to supplement what they can afford to buy so to allow other families to have help also. A chart is on the wall of the pantry offering suggestions on how much each family should take according to the number of animals they have.
Public donations can be made to either of these memorial programs by writing HHPR, PO Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736. Please make a note on a check’s memo line for which program you would like to contribute. Halfway Home Pet Rescue is a 501c3 corporation and all donations are tax deductible.