MINOT — Eda Phyllis Tripp, 84, of Minot, died peacefully in her home where she wanted to be, on Monday, Dec. 11, following a courageous battle with cancer. Eda was born Nov. 9, 1933, to Carmel DeSanctis Deschaine and stepfather, Gerard Deschaine. She attended Lewiston High School and graduated in 1952. In 1952, she married William Bridgham. They had three children, Harold, Bonnie Lee and Gerard. They divorced in 1961. She married Dwight Tripp Jr. in 1971, after being friends for nine years. Together they owned and operated Tripp Crest Farm with the help of her three children, who worked the farm from when Jerry was 3 years old. They were divorced in 2001.

Eda will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and her community, which is evident in that she has been a selectman for the town of Minot from 1999 to present and chairman of the Board of Assessors. She served on the Minot school board for two years; election clerk for 38-plus years; General Assistance director; secretary of the Road Study Committee; and executive committee of Mid-Maine Waste Action. She was a member of Minot’s 200th Anniversary Committee. She was a founding member of the Minot Historical Society and served as secretary for eight years. She was currently serving as the MHS treasurer. She was instrumental in having the town take over care of the Minot cemeteries and served on the cemetery committee, which encouraged the town to purchase 17 acres of land for a new cemetery.

Eda served as secretary and treasurer of the Pine Tree State Holstein Association for 22 years. For 12 years she was the secretary of the livestock department at Oxford Fair. She was one of the surviving members of the 1846 Minot Center Congregational Church and has worked to maintain the historic church. She has been very active in the Minot Center Grange 266, holding many offices and serving as master from 2007 to 2014. She also held offices in the Androscoggin Pomona Grange and served on the agriculture committee of the Maine State Grange. She is now a member of the West Minot Grange. She placed flags on veterans’ cemetery plots for many years in Minot’s 29 cemeteries. She prepared and delivered food and gifts for Minot’s needy families.

Eda is survived by her three children, Harold W. Bridgham and his fiancée, Kelly LaBonté of Minot, Bonnie Lee Bridgham and her partner, Wendy Ward of Minot, Gerard G. Bridgham and his wife, Stacey of Minot, who was instrumental in providing Eda with compassionate care; her six grandchildren, Gerard D., Lucas, Samuele, Kaleb, Kelsea and Kate.

Eda was predeceased by her mother, Carmel DeSanctis Deschaine; stepfather, Gerard Deschaine; and her sister, Angela Walsh.

Eda supported her family and the town of Minot with her compassion and dedication. She will be deeply missed by many.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Eda’s guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Eda P. Tripp