1935 – 2015

LISBON — Shirley Jean Christopher Ricker, 80, of Lisbon, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, August 12.

Shirley was born in Lisbon Falls, the daughter of Francis H. and Anna Schutt Christopher. She graduated from Lisbon High School in 1953 and the University of Maine at Orono in 1957 with a major in home economics.

Shirley was an accomplished equestrian and was widely known in Maine horse show circles. She received hundreds of awards with her horses: Peggy of Pennock, Copper Christy, Texas and Golden Genius. In later years, she continued to show Quarter Horses and Appaloosas and was a strong supporter of her daughters’ horse and cattle showing endeavors.

Following college, Shirley taught home economics in Gorham, N.H. and Duxbury, Mass. In 1959, she married Wayne H. Ricker of Lisbon and together they lived on the Ricker Farm, raising registered Holsteins. Shirley was involved in all aspects of the farm operation and in recent years she and Wayne grew vegetables and operated a farm stand. She enjoyed her family, cruises to the southern Caribbean, flower gardens, scrapbooking, trips to the ocean and to the family camp at Moosehead Lake, her Australian Shepherds, and lifelong love of horses.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 55 years, Wayne; and her daughters, Rhonda Irish and husband, Jeff, of Jay, Kimberly Ricker of Wales, Kristen Glazier of Wales, Tammy Ricker and husband, Mark Hall, of Mt. Vernon, and Sharon Zylla and husband, Jerry, of Lisbon. She is survived by her grandchildren, Allyson McCarty, Benjamin Irish, Kyra Bosse, Kaylei Robichaud, Lindsay Glazier, Jared Glazier, Ethan Zylla, and Ryan Zylla; great-grandchildren, Abigail and Natalie McCarty; nephew, Daniel Skolfield and wife, Sharon, of Lisbon Falls; brothers-in-law, Merton Ricker of Lisbon and Verne Ricker and his wife, Sally, of Herrin, Ill.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents; sister, Phyllis Skolfield Griffin; brother-in-law, E.B. Skolfield; nephew, Jeffrey Skolfield; and in-laws, Howard and Alice Ricker.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.

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