1933 – 2016

LEWISTON — Ann H. Bickford, 82, of South Paris died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at d’Youville Pavilion.

Born in Rumford on April 2, 1933, Ann was the last of eight children born to Lester and Ismay Hathaway of Bryant Pond.

Raising five children in Locke Mills, Ann received her GED at Telstar and graduated from Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute as an LPN in 1970. She married H. Knox Bickford in August of the same year and began her nursing career at Stephens Memorial Hospital. She quickly moved on to work in the OR, ending her career as head of the central supply sterilization area. In addition to her work, she enjoyed traveling the state with Knox to many Eastern Star functions, serving in many offices of that organization.

Ann was a devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church, Norway, for more than 40 years and was well-known for her blueberry pies and chocolate chip cookies. When at home, she could be found in her flower beds, mowing her lawn or shoveling the driveway as long as there was daylight.

She is survived by her children, Thomas (Susan Melcher) Swan of Mt. Vernon, Sharon (Stephen) Frost of Hermon, Dorothy (Paul Leathers) Brown of Auburn, Margie (Garry) Bartlett of Hanover, and Michael Swan of Auburn; as well as stepsons, Hank (Vida) Bickford of Pennsylvania, and Jim (Blue) (Diane) Bickford of Oregon; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition, she will be missed by her sisters, Alice McInnis of North Carolina, and Lois (Roy) Day of Bryant Pond; and sisters-in-law, Althea Hathaway of South Paris, Joyce Hathaway of West Paris, and Pat Hathaway of Macclenny, Fla.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Terrence (TR), Ellsworth, John, and twin brother Alton (Gibby) Hathaway; sister, Beatrice Judkins; as well as her husband, Knox, who died in 2001 and her first husband, D. Raymond Swan.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of 3 East, d’Youville Pavilion for their compassionate care of our mother in her last months.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.