Christal Ann Crockett Ericksen

1948-2015

Christal Ann Crockett Ericksen, 67, died July 24 at her home in Port Townsend, WA. She was born Jan. 3, 1948, in Skowhegan, ME, to Leroy and Agnes (Fitzmaurice) Crockett. She attended schools in Wilton, ME, graduating Valedictorian from Wilton Academy in 1967.

Christal had a lifelong wanderlust and desire to experience other cultures. In 1975, she flew to Europe with $200 and a backpack. For the next two years, she made her way around the world. Before returning to Maine, she spent six months at a kibbutz in Israel. Thirty years later, she visited that kibbutz, reconnecting with people she worked with so long ago.

Christal would eventually circumnavigate the globe twice, visiting some 75 countries and all continents except Antarctica. Her home was filled with mementos and photographs from her travels. She sent postcards and gifts to her family and friends so they could share her extraordinary experiences.

In 1980, she settled in Port Townsend, realizing her dream of living in the Pacific Northwest. She loved to sip coffee at her kitchen table, enjoying the beautiful view of Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier.

Advertisement

A talented and creative photographer, Christal captured her travel experiences on film. Her wry humor and eye for detail made her pictures memorable—a tiny kitten in a cottage window, the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the curious name of a quaint Irish pub, the deeply tanned face of a Bedouin against pale desert sand. Photography was her passion, and for twenty years, it was also her profession. Many of her photographs lined the walls of her shop, A-1 Hour Photo, where she did custom film processing, graduation portraits, and wedding photographs before retiring in 2012.

Like her family, Christal had a soft spot for animals and always had a cat or two to snuggle with when reading or watching TV. She was a voracious reader with an extensive book collection. That love of reading made her a formidable Scrabble player.

Christal is survived by her son Lonnie White, his wife Cindy, and their daughters Hayley and Erin of Lamoine, ME; sisters Paula Crockett (Martin Gibbins) of Carnation, WA, and Joy Crockett of Wilton; several aunts and uncles (Eleanor Robinson of Bangor, Dora and William Chase of Winston-Salem, NC, Patrick and Loretta Fitzmaurice of Skowhegan, Michael and Harriet Fitzmaurice of Bowdoinham, Lillian Maberry of Freeport, and Francis and Sadie Fitzmaurice of King, NC); many cousins; former spouses Brian White (Erna) of Jay, and Ralph Ericksen of Port Townsend, WA; step-daughters Brenda Ericksen Padilla (Vicente) of Malaga, Spain, Jodi Ericksen Sarti (David) of Seattle, WA, and Veronica Smith Benson (Jeff) of Washington, VA; and several step-grandchildren. She also leaves her dearest friends Eileen Adams and Wayne Dimond, both of Wilton, and her beloved cat Thelma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Cecil and Betty Crockett and Frank and Barbara Fitzmaurice, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, former spouse Ron Smith, and step-daughter Lisa Ericksen.

A gathering to celebrate Christal’s life will take place at the East Wilton Grange Hall on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 2–4 p.m. There will also be a gathering in Port Townsend, WA, on Friday, Aug. 7. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the charity of your choice.

Erla (Keep) Hurlburt

Advertisement

1918-2015

Erla (Keep) Hurlburt, 97, of Farmington, passed away on Sunday evening July 26, 2015, while residing in Glenridge Nursing Home, Augusta.

She was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Fayette, Maine, a daughter of Ezra and Sadie (Webster) Keep. Shortly before Erla was born, her mother received notice that her brother, Earl (who was fighting in the trenches during WWI and who had not been heard from for several months), was alive and well. Erla was named in honor of him.

She attended Fayette schools and graduated from Kents Hill School in 1936.

She married George Hurlburt on Sept. 4, 1946. They purchased a house lot on Middle St. in Farmington, where they built the family home and where she lived for 65 years. She had her flower and vegetable gardens and various fruit plants. Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies.

In her younger years, she was employed in her uncle’s tennis racket factory in New Sharon (currently the site of Imelda’s). She worked as a hairdresser and had a Beauty Shop in the Middle Street home for many years. She had many lifelong customers and for many “dressed their hair” for their funeral, wanting to look their best for the occasion. Her sons grew up with the smell of permanent wave solution!

Advertisement

She took all of the family photos and was noted for her “portrait scalping” ability.

She and her husband enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Triple Town Squares. She enjoyed music all of her life. When music played at the Alzheimer’s Care Center or Glenridge Nursing Home, it triggered a positive response in her and she would be seen tapping her feet or hands to the beat of the music.

She was also a member of the Farmington, Maine Extension Homemakers Group for many years, enjoying the meetings, crafts and trips to various flower shows.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, George Hurlburt, on May 11, 2005, as well as her brother, Francis Keep “Doc” and sister, Katherine Lowe.

Her family would like to thank all of the people in the Alzheimer’s Care Center in Gardiner and at Glenridge Nursing Home in Augusta for all of their help and kindness.

Survivors include their two sons: Norman Hurlburt and partner, Nancy Prince of Wilton; Geoffrey Hurlburt and wife, Ann, of Vassalboro; step-daughters: Sharon Tokarz and husband, Frank of Stoughton, MA. ;Sheila Peavey and husband, Charles, of Florida; Grandchildren: Ian Hurlburt and wife, Suzanne; Joel Hurlburt and wife, Karin Tornell, and their mother Amy Hurlburt, Jill Hurlburt Carlin and husband Frank; Allison Hurlburt, Maureen Crowley and husband Tim, Michelle Andrade, Paul Tokarz and wife, Susan; Shaun O’Neil, Peggy O’Neil, Colleen O’Neil, Cathy O’Neil and Patrice O’Neil; several great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Advertisement

A hopeful thought for all who do not believe in coincidences: Found in her belongings on the day of her passing was her Tennyson Birthday Book, with the writing for July 26 by (Maud.):

“O that ‘twere possible

After long grief and pain

To find the arms of my true love

Round me once again!”

Beside this prose, in her own handwriting, was her father’s name and date of passing, (the same month and day) July 26, 1931.

Advertisement

HURLBURT – died, at Augusta, 7/26/2015, Erla Keep Hurlburt, 97, of Farmington. Private family graveside committal services at Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton. Public memorial services will be held Saturday morning, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. from the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington, with Rev. Richard Dorian officiating.

Following services, a reception will be held at the Center. All are welcome. Remembrance gifts may be given to the Maine General Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Center ATT: Alzheimers/Dementia Unit 40 Glenridge Drive Augusta, ME 04330. Tributes and condolences may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com where her memorial video may also be viewed.

Lawrence R. Simpson

1960-2015

Lawrence R. Simpson, 55, of Madrid passed away Friday, July 31, 2015 in Farmington surrounded by family and friends.

He was born July 26, 1960 in Farmington the son of Fred and Lillian Simpson. He graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 1979 and then from Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in 1981. Larry was awarded his National Creditation of Earned Recognition which is the highest achievement an Electrician can receive and he was a Master Electrician. His work took him around the world.

Advertisement

On May 22, 1999 he married Daphanie Dyer. Larry was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting at camp with his brother and brother-in-law. He loved riding his Harley Davidson and all the adventures they had on it. He was very active in many groups and organizations in his community.

The family would like to thank Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and the caring staff of Dr. Nicholette Erickson at CMMC.

Larry is survived by his wife Daphanie; two sons Nathan Simpson and companion Susan of Auburn, and Derek Simpson of Livermore Falls; two stepsons Joshua Harris and Jeremy Harris both of Chesterville; four grandchildren Elyse, Samuel, Parker, and Julianna; four sisters Jane Campbell and husband Hugh of Elkton, MD, Peggy Hamilton and husband Tom of Cornville, Barbara Simpson and husband Burnell Bouchard of East Vassalboro, and Ann Bell and husband Peter of Waterford; two brothers Jerry Simpson and wife Jeanne of Farmington, and Mark Simpson and wife Lauren of Farmington; his mother-in-law DeEtte Hinkley of Jay; sisters-in-law Tiffany Knight and husband Lonnie of Prentis and Melody Spiotta and husband Patrick of Jay; brothers-in-law Russell Dyer and Justin Dyer of Jay; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Fred.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Farmington Baptist Church, 216 Whittier Rd. Those wishing may make donations in Larry’s memory through DempseyChallenge.org (search Team Simpson Strong). Arrangements under the care of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com


Share your condolences, kind words and remembrances below. You must be logged into the website to comment. Subscribers, please login. Not a subscriber? Register to comment for free or subscribe to support our work.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.