Florence Hilda Pierce Perkins, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 8. Florence was born in Hallowell in 1920, the daughter of Carl F. Pierce and Annie May Rollins Pierce.
She grew up in Hallowell, was active in the Grange, and graduated from Hallowell High School. She also graduated from Gates Business College in Augusta. She then worked at Depositors Trust in Hallowell, rising to the position of assistant bank manager.
On June 23, 1946, Florence married Richard E. Perkins. They began their wonderful married life of moving between various towns in Maine, Massachusetts, and even a period of time in Costa Rica as Richard progressed in his career. She always became involved in her children’s school activities and in her local church.
In most towns in which she lived, she found a woman who could use an extra hand with cleaning or grocery shopping and would spend a day each week with that person. She always welcomed her children’s friends to her home. Her hot cocoa and gingerbread men were very popular.
Florence had many interests at various times in her life. They included oil painting, bird watching, playing the Hawaiian guitar, knitting, sewing, and playing the piano by ear.
For many years, she was active in the Order of the Eastern Star.
She loved to cook and didn’t mind sharing her recipes. The recipient just needed to be aware that the recipe she shared would be copied directly from its source and would not include her many changes.
Starting when her children were growing up and continuing until a few years ago, she enjoyed family trips (camping and otherwise) throughout the continental U.S. She and Richard also visited Hawaii and Alaska, and places such as Brazil, Majorca, Spain, Austria, Germany, and England.
She loved to laugh, and to make other people laugh. In her later years she enjoyed getting together with a group of her cousins from time to time. She was always up for anything, even riding a sled that her son-in-law had given her when she was in her 60s, as well as riding a camel in North Africa.
She was predeceased by her sister, Lucille Velmer Pierce; and and brothers, Lawrence Carl Pierce, Richard Lloyd Pierce, Elmore Lee Pierce, and Kenneth Frederick Pierce.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Richard E. Perkins; daughter, Alice H. Smith and husband Dennis; son, Dana R. Perkins, wife Shari and sons Benjamin and Shannon.
Service remembering Florence 1 p.m., Sat., Dec. 15 at the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro in Nobleboro. A reception will follow at the same location. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at the Southside Cemetery in Skowhegan.
Flowers are welcome, or donations in Florence’s memory may be made to The American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
