1923 – 2014

LEWISTON — Alta M. Rogers, 91, of Auburn, died peacefully with her daughter by her side on the morning of Monday, Oct. 27, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. She was regarded as the “world’s greatest mother” by her daughter, Dottie Perham-Whittier, and they had a mother-daughter bond that was very special to observe. When they would say goodnight on the phone, you would hear: “I’m glad you’re my mother”; “well, I’m glad you’re my daughter.”

Alta was born in Livermore on May 23, 1923, a daughter of Lottie Ranger Hiscock and Asa Hiscock. She loved family and visits with them were a joy to her heart. On her 90th birthday, she and her sisters broke into song with “How Great Thou Art” at her birthday party at Marco’s Restaurant.

Alta’s faith in God sustained her throughout her life and when she was taken to the emergency room prior to her passing, she shared her faith with the medical personnel. She was a member of Auburn Nazarene Church. She attended Livermore schools and Leavitt Institute, and worked at Hoague Sprague Box Factory, as a dental assistant for Dr. Walter Crites, in the lunchroom at Washburn School and as a beloved cashier at Shaw’s in Auburn. She also baby-sat several children throughout her life who continued to love her as they became adults.

Her first husband was Roy F. Perham Jr., with whom she had a daughter, Dottie. Although they divorced, Alta always spoke highly of him and shared fond memories of him with their daughter — especially times when they would go out dancing; she loved to jitterbug. She later married Kenneth E. Rogers Sr., who passed away in 2003.

The highlights of her life were her daughter, Dottie, of whom she was extremely proud, and her grandson, Mack Whittier, whom she saw born in 1999. The love she had for the two of them is unsurpassed and can never be adequately described in words and her daughter always knew she could count on her mom for anything 24/7. The memories her daughter has of her mom’s involvement in her life are cherished memories for a lifetime and include her calling “Easter Bunny Headquarters” when Dottie was a small child. Her daughter’s happiness had been the true passion of Alta’s life.

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Alta cared for Mack when he was a baby while his parents were working and he loved his Nana. As she did for her daughter, Alta attended all of Mack’s school and extracurricular activities, beaming with pride. A fond recent memory is when he had a band concert and she couldn’t see him on stage very well, so she got up and stood at the side of the stage so she could better see him play his trumpet — all the while keeping rhythm with the music.

Alta loved to eat out, including tons of vanilla ice cream with whipped cream. She loved to tell jokes, go on car rides, enjoy her grandson’s cooking and go to Tim Horton’s for an old-fashioned glazed doughnut and a black decaf. She loved to read her Bible and clean her home, and her favorite color was blue. She thought, though, that God’s favorite color was green, as she admired the many shades of green trees He created.

She is survived by her daughter, grandson and granddog, Marley Cocoa; sisters, Betty DeCoster and Ruth Hiltz of Lewiston; and several nieces and nephews, including Judy Hiltz of Lewiston, who provided unwavering support and care to Alta as her health declined. She is also survived by her best friend, Eleanor, at the Lake Auburn Town House where she resided; as well as her daughter’s very supportive stepchildren, Philip R. Whittier and Pamela J. Whittier.

Her family is happy that she is now at peace and in good health with her Lord Jesus Christ and that she has been reunited with her mom, who always called her “her little whirlwind,” because she was always such a help to her.

Alta was predeceased by her sisters, Edith Payeur, Millie Hamblin, Violet Emerson and Gloria Brown; brothers, Merle, Carl, Burt and Paul Hiscock; as well as her parents and “angel” grandchild, thought to be a girl, Olivia Rae Whittier.

Her daughter wishes to thank Alta’s primary care provider, Nan Boucher; St. Mary’s C2 physicians, Dr. Robert Milhauser and Dr. Amber Pena; and the extremely compassionate C2 nurses, Wendy, Pat and Angelea, for their tender care and for treating Alta with such love and dignity.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.


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