Beatrice Benner Sparrow, 93, passed away April 3 at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta.
The daughter of Ozro and Jennie (Robinson) Benner, she was born at home on Aug. 6, 1913.
Beatrice married Oscar Russell on Feb. 7, 1930, and remained married to him until his passing on Sept. 12, 1960.
On Oct. 25, 1965, she married Hale Sparrow. She was a homemaker and mother in Bristol Mills, living in the house on the north side of the post office until 1940, when she moved into the big red farmhouse on the Benner Road. Following her marriage to Hale, she and her husband built their home, also on the Benner Road.
Her cooking and baking skills were widely known and greatly admired. She worked many summers cooking for Rod and Mildred Chapman, the Seagull Shop, the Kresge family, and Glen Stewart. She also helped for several years at Berry’s Nursing Home in Bristol Mills.
Beatrice enjoyed movies, country-dances, county fairs, picnics and family gatherings, most especially at holiday time.
She was a 50-year member of the Bristol Lodges, O.E.S. and a longtime member of the Seaside Grange.
Until recently, she canned many types of fruits and vegetables and loved handwork, creating quilts, teddy bears and dish clothes, which she shared with family and friends.
She was predeceased by her son, James Malcolm Russell; brothers, Earl, Douglas and Harding Benner; and sisters, Josephine Pendleton, Gladys Foster and Eleanor Carter.
She leaves her husband of 41 years of Bristol; children, Lillian Eva Poole and husband Raymond of South Bristol, Lewis Earl Russell and wife Faith of Monmouth, and Philip Oren Russell and wife Nathalie of Bristol; daughter-in-law, Geraldine Russell; four stepchildren; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Graveside service 11 a.m., Sat., April 28 at the Bristol Mills Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest. Pastor Rick Newell will officiate.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
