Reta M. St. John

1926 – 2010

SOUTH PARIS — Reta M. St. John, 83, of Harrison died Saturday, March 20, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

She was born in Waterford, Oct. 8, 1926, the daughter of Clayton and Grace (Skinner) Pike.

She graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1945. She married George H. St. John of Harrison, her husband of 50 years, on April 21, 1946. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, playing cribbage, a “spirited” discussion, and above all, loved her family. Memorial Day was an especially important part of her life. She was the first female selectman in the town of Harrison and served as the election warden for many years.

She was a lifetime member of the Ronald G. St. John Post 9328 Ladies Auxiliary, William I. Pembroke Post 139 American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and the Harrison Fire Association Auxiliary. She was also a Gold Star Mother.

She is survived by her children, Dale C. St. John and his wife, Becky, of Alton, N.H., James E. St. John and wife, Donita, of South Paris, Betty M. Hazelton and husband, Tony, of Harrison, Wanda J. May and husband, Todd, of Harrison and Richard K. St John and wife, Melissa, of Harrison; five sisters, Lelia Hill, Ruth O’Brien, Laura Richardson, Elizabeth Adams, and Eva Thurlow; a brother, Herbert Pike; grandchildren, Jill St. John, Scott St. John, Heather McDonald, Wendy Huggard, Amy St. John, Amanda St. John, Briana St. John, Courtney Thompson, Tricia St. John, Melissa Roberts, Ron St. John, Justin St. John, and Adena St. John; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, George in 1996; a son, Ronald G. St. John in 1966, in Vietnam; and her siblings, John Pike, Wendell Pike, Edith Monk, Robert Pike and Fred Pike.