1923 – 2014

SOUTH PARIS — Anita June Richardson, 90, passed away on Thursday, April 10, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris, where she had resided for three weeks. She was a lifelong resident of Rumford and Rumford Center, except for her service in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during World War II.

Anita was born in Rumford on July 8, 1923, to Antonio and Leona (Metevier) Perrault. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a class officer at Stephens High School, graduating with the Class of 1941. She completed nurse’s training at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, Mass., in 1944, and immediately joined the Army Nurse Corps. Following basic training at Camp Devens and Camp Edwards, she was assigned to care for returning servicemen aboard military hospital trains. She also served at military hospitals in Alabama and North Carolina, prior to being honorably discharged.

Anita and Merle “Scotty” Richardson were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rumford on May 13, 1946. They purchased Ye Olde General Store in Rumford Center in May 1950, building the business into a well-known local landmark, until its closing in 1998. Anita was especially fond of the customers and acquaintances who were patrons of the store for nearly half a century.

She was active in the Robert Shand Post of the American Legion, the Christian Valley Literary Club, Rumford Historical Society, Daughters of Isabella and Santa’s Helpers.

Anita is survived by three sons, Merle “Champ” Richardson and his wife, Janis, of Hallettsville, Texas, John “Tom” Richardson and his wife, Beth, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Mark Richardson of Rumford Center; and two daughters, Susan White and her husband, Denny, of Noblesville, Ind., and Merlene Richardson of Rumford. Also surviving is a sister, Lucille Casey, of Boynton Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Ryan Richardson of Nashville, Tenn., Rebecca Meece of Lakeland, Tenn., Christopher White of Noblesville, Ind., Kimberly Schumacher of Lonedell, Mo., and Jeremiah, Sadie and Brooke Richardson, all of Rumford Center; six great-grandchildren, Benjamin and William Richardson of Nashville, Tenn., Skylar and Savannah Meece of Lake, Tenn., and Dylan and Sierra Schumacher of Lonedell, Mo.; two nieces, Candy Casey of Buffalo, N.Y., and Karen Casey of Boynton Beach, Fla.; and two nephews, Michael Casey of Durham, N.C., and Dean Sciaraffa of Portland.

Anita’s parents; sister, Ethel Tribou; and husband, Scotty, predeceased her.

The family would like to thank Nancy Martineau for her many years of care. We would also like to thank Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, the Maine Veterans’ Home and the Veterans Administration.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.