RUMFORD – Idella Ethel Buckingham Heath, 76, died Saturday Feb. 26, at the Rumford Community Home where she had been a resident for five years.

She was born July 2, 1928, in Westfield, to the late Perley and Alda Redstone Buckingham. She was educated in Westfield and moved to the area as a teen, with her family, in 1942.

She worked in various occupations in business establishments of the area over the years and retired from Diamond Match Co. in Dixfield.

The most beautiful legacy she left the world are her 10 children, 16 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed family gatherings, fiddleheading, blueberry picking, going to lunch with family and friends, long rides, cooking for co-workers, and loved to spend time on the Maine coast with friends and family. She was helpful and always taking in strays and sharing whatever she had. She was a proud member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children, Carleen Dupuis and her husband, Marc, of Mexico, Richard Heath and his wife, Janice, of Oxford, Margaret St. Cyr of Dixfield, Rendell Heath and wife, Barbara, of Rumford, Dolores Fourcaudot and her husband, Louis, of Madison, Joyce Heath of Salem, S.C., Roger Heath and companion, Christie, of Mexico, Janet Heath of Rumford, and daughter-in-law Dodie Heath of South Rumford; siblings, Mary Roberts, Preston Buckingham and his wife, Lucy, of Rumford, Charles Buckingham and his wife, Jacquline, of Augusta, and Grace Hollis of South Dennis, Mass.; grandchildren, Marc Dupuis Jr., and wife, Andrea, Michael Dupuis, Richard Dupuis, Christopher Heath and wife, Kelly, Kerrie Jenkins and her husband, Ed, Robbie Heath and companion, Angie, Dennis St. Cyr and companion, Shannon, Don St. Cyr and wife, Debbie, Monica St. Cyr and fianc, Stefano Dell’ Aquilla, Amber and companion, Brett, Erica Ladd and husband, Tiger, Lisa Heath, Marcel, Matthew and Renee Fourcaudot, and Jesse Heath; 18 great-grandchildren; Aunt Hazel Rogers of Haverhill, Mass.; many cousins; and special friend, Roger Richardson of Rumford.

She was predeceased by her son Robert “Hector” Heath; and brothers, Fredrick and Edwin Buckingham.