WEST FREEMAN – Hazel A. Nickerson, 92, of Strong, died Tuesday, Aug. 15.

She was born in Augusta on October 21, 1913, the daughter of Clement H. and Mabel A. (Pomeroy) Russell.

She was educated at Cony High School in Augusta, graduating in 1931 as Salutatorian. She enjoyed many sports such as running track and playing basketball for Cony. After graduation she attended Farmington Normal School.

She married her husband of 51 years, Lawrence Nickerson, in Jan. 1946, in Strong; they moved to Freeman, where they resided and raised a family.

She worked at local mills; as a cost accountant at Brackley’s and as a millworker at Fosters for over 40 years before retiring in 1979.

She was a charter member of the Church of the Nazarene. She taught an adult women’s class there for many years.

She enjoyed motorcyle riding, visiting Florida during the winter to spend time with her daughter, knitting, crocheting, crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble and reading.

Hazel is survived by three daughters, Gayle Petrie and her husband, Gerald of Avon, Judith Cormier and her husband, Den, of Lewiston, Deborah Smith and her husband, E. Rodney Smith Jr. of Strong; two sons, Russell Norton and his wife, Beverly of Auburn, Michael Nickerson and his wife, Amanda of Benton; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Annabell Darveau of Augusta.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence, in 1997; a son, Gerald Nelson Norton; two sisters, Alma Sturgis and Cora Clary; and a brother, Earl Russell.


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