Laura Ralph, 83, of Waldoboro, died Oct. 14 at the Knox Center for Long Term Care after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Laura was born Jan. 12, 1927 on Loud’s Island, the daughter of Cecil Rufus and Ruby Belle Achorn Barter, and attended Waldoboro schools.
Though she worked as a waitress in her youth, Laura was first and foremost a homemaker. She loved to provide a loving and nurturing environment for her family, making her daughters’ clothing, baking wonderful meals and desserts, teaching sewing classes, and making handcrafts and crewel work. She was also known for her flower gardens, which she tended and lovingly grew during the summer months.
She is predeceased by her sister, Micky Ilves, and brother, Douglas Barter.
Survivors include her husband, Roger W. Ralph of Waldoboro; daughters, Sherry Helvie and husband Howard of Royal Center, Ind., and Lynne Gushee and husband Kendall of Appleton; grandchildren, Darren Winters of Yarmouth, Gregory Davis and wife Mindy of Thomaston, Megan Juarez and husband Zechariah of Augusta, and James Gushee of Appleton; brother, Gary Barter and wife Sharon of Waldoboro; sister-in-law, Rosemary Barter of Warren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to visit with the family 6-8 p.m., Mon., Oct. 18 at the Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Celebration of Laura’s life 11 a.m., Tues., Oct. 19 at the People’s United Methodist Church, Depot St., Union. Interment will follow in the Shuman Cemetery, Waldoboro.
Should friends desire, memorial donations in Laura’s memory may be made to the Knox Center for Long Term Care, Alzheimer’s Unit Activities Fund, Six White St., Rockland, ME 04841 or to the Kno-Wal-Lin Home Health and Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.
Condolences to the family may be expressed on Laura’s memorial page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
