Louise Erickson Ulbrich, 70, of Warren, died peacefully at home on July 21 surrounded by her family and grandchildren. Born in Swampscott, Mass. on July 15, 1940, Louise was raised in the company of her entire paternal family on the Bahamian island of Inagua, where her father and his two brothers re-established and operated a business manufacturing salt by process of solar evaporation. Her island upbringing fostered a deep and life-long connection to her immediate and extended family of 21.
Following her graduation from Radcliffe College in 1962, Louise taught fourth grade at Nashoba Brooks Country Day School in Concord, Mass. until her marriage to Konrad Ulbrich in 1968. The farming component of Louise’s secondary education at Putney School in Vermont, paired with her husband’s interest in sheep-farming and boats, led to their decision to move to a farm in mid-coast Maine in 1977. On this farm they raised their two daughters, as well as sheep, cows, blueberries and hay. In addition, Louise trained Border Collie sheep dogs, substitute taught, and served on the local school board. She enjoyed music, and was devoted to a local singing group.
Louise had a life-long love of books, letters, ideas, and conversation, which she cultivated from her farmhouse kitchen. She often wrote letters to the editor and was an avid reader in a broad spectrum. Authors that she especially connected with were Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Henry David Thoreau, and Emily Dickinson. Although she did not travel much in later years, books and ideas took her everywhere in great depth. She had a knack for conversation and could cut to the heart of something interesting with anyone she met, often following up with an article or a book that related to the discussion.
Louise was a loving mother and took great joy in children, especially her three grandchildren. Despite being ravaged by cancer in the last six months of her life, Louise departed to her next journey on her own terms, inspiring many in her ability to maintain gratitude, appreciation, and joy up until the end.
She is survived by siblings, Peter Erickson of Seattle, Wash. and Lee Ingram of Bellingham, Wash.; daughters, Cecile Tucker of Weston Mass. and Wilhelmina Ulbrich of Warren; grandchildren, Amelia Tucker, Frances Tucker and Robert Anderson; and friends in Lincoln County.
There will be a memorial celebration in honor of Louise at the farm in September.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Maine Farmland Trust, 97 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915 or the Warren Public Library, P.O. Box 152, Warren, ME 04864.
Arrangements entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.