Salme F. Rucker
1920 – 2009
AUBURN — Salme Fanny Rucker, 89, formerly of Turner Square Apartments in Turner, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 10.
She was born in West Paris, Jan. 16, 1920, the oldest daughter of Finnish immigrants, Sara H. Lemmetti and Abel Heikkinen. She was educated in Turner schools.
She married Frederick James Rucker on Feb. 1, 1945. He passed away Aug. 27, 1993. After the death of her parents, whom she had cared for in their later years, she held the position of companion, caregiver for families in the Lewiston-Auburn area for more than 25 years.
After her retirement, she enjoyed house and animal sitting for her grandsons when needed. She was a proud member of the Finnish American Society of Maine and also a past member of the Turner Senior Citizens, in which she enjoyed many bus trips to the coast and seeing the fall foliage with the other members. She particularly enjoyed the many family gatherings. If there was a party to celebrate anything, she went.
She also attended church with her sister and brothers. She enjoyed dining out at the Chick-a-Dee restaurant. She spent many hours embroidering pillow cases and linens, to give as gifts to family and friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Georgeanne Sharik of Chatsworth, Calif., and Roseanna Newton of Turner; five grandsons, Richard R. Newton and his wife, Nancy of Sumner, Jeffrey W. Newton and his wife, Alison, of Turner, Kenneth E. Newton and his wife, Sheila, of Hartford, Barry Thompson and his wife, Katie, of Surprise, Ariz., and Terry Thompson and his wife, Angie, of Dewey, Ariz.; eight great-grandchildren, Jeffrey Newton Jr. and Adrianna of Turner, Ryan, Macie and Reagan Thompson, all of Surprise, Ariz., Tia Blaisdell and her husband, Zack, of Livermore Falls, Allie Keen of Auburn and Missy Keen of Minot; three great great-grandchildren, Trinity, Emma and Noah; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her sister, Lena Lowell; two brothers, Vieno and K. Jalmari (Bill) Heikkinen; and a son-in-law Richard E. Newton.
Her family would like to thank the entire staff at Clover Health Care for the exceptional and loving care she received from them over the last three years.