LEWISTON – Kristen “Krissy” Barbara Bickmore died early Wednesday morning, March 30, at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, after a courageous 18-month battle with breast cancer.

She was born on April 6, 1967, in Portland, and died one week prior to her 38th birthday. She was the beloved daughter of Hattie M. Bickmore of South Portland, and Venice, Fla., and the late Harold V. Bickmore Jr.

She was born with cerebral palsy and mental retardation, but never let her disabilities limit her from bringing great joy to her family and many friends. She always had a big smile on her face, loved to go out to dinner and listen to country music.

She is survived by her mother, Hattie M.; three sisters, Brenda L. Bidwell of Fredericksburg Va., Ellen C. Bickmore and her husband, Gary Towne, of Yarmouth, Susan B. and her husband, and Francis “Chip” Downey, of Cumberland Foreside; a brother, Harold V. “Pete” Bickmore of Boston, Mass; two nephews, Francis “Jake” and John Downey of Cumberland Foreside; and two nieces, Lauren and Meghan Bickmore of Scarborough. She also leaves an extended family of caregivers and friends from the John Murphy Home at 2 Teakwood Knoll, Lewiston, where she resided for many years.

She was predeceased by her father, Harold, in 1967.

She also received special care from Pat Harris from DHHS and the Androscoggin Hospice. The Bickmore family will be eternally grateful to the doctors and nurses who took such good care of Kristen during her illness.