Frances “Fran” M. (Wilder) Underwood, 80, of South Bristol, formerly of Sterling, Mass., died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on March 22 at Miles Memorial Hospital, Damariscotta.
She was born in Medford, Mass., the daughter of J. Homer and Marianne C. (Warner) Wilder and lived most of her life in Sterling until moving to South Bristol in 1995.
Fran co-owned and operated along with her husband Ted, Sterling Manufacturing Co., Inc. from 1967 to 1995. Together they retired to South Bristol, where she enjoyed putting her green thumb to work, creating and maintaining her huge flower, rock and vegetable gardens. She loved traveling anywhere in the country with Ted. She enjoyed cooking for others, sitting on her deck overlooking the ocean and attending dog shows in Maine with her daughter Lori. She also enjoyed going for motorcycle rides around the island with Scott and tooling around town with Louise.
Fran was known for her generosity and hospitality, both in Sterling and Maine. Many of Scott and Lori’s friends experienced her home-style hospitality in Sterling, Sugarloaf, and South Bristol. She was a confidante, a mother-figure, and a best friend to many; she was a strong and courageous caregiver to Ted.
Fran’s husband of 57 years, Theodore “Ted” A. Underwood died in 2006.
She is survived by her daughter, Lori Underwood of Sterling, Mass.; and son and caregiver, J. Scott Underwood and wife Louise of South Bristol.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5-8 p.m., Thurs., March 26 in the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Rd. (Rt. 12), Sterling, Mass. Funeral service and celebration of Fran’s 11 a.m., Fri., March 27 in the First Church in Sterling, 6 Meeting House Hill Rd., Sterling. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls, P.O. Box 65, New Gloucester, ME 04260.
Arrangements are entrusted to Miles Funeral Home, Holden, Mass. www.milesfuneralhome.com
