LEWISTON — Mildred Irene (Lane) Bickford, 90, of 41 Wyman Road, Auburn, died Thursday, June 30, at the d’Youville Pavilion.

She was born in Lewiston Jan. 19, 1921, the daughter of Harold M. and Sarah Curran Lane. She graduated from Lewiston High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1938. After graduation, she attended and graduated from the former Bliss Business College in Lewiston, where she was enrolled in the Normal Training Department to prepare for a career as a business educator. Later she earned both B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Maine, Orono.

On May 30, 1951, she was married to Merlin L. Bickford of Auburn, who died in Jan. 1991. In June 1983, she retired after a 42-year career as a business education teacher in the schools of South Paris, Biddeford and Lewiston. At Lewiston High School she served as the chairperson of the business education department and, at the time of her retirement, was advisor to the student council. She was the first recipient of the Geneva Kirk Service Award at Lewiston High School, and she was also named Outstanding Business Educator by Husson College in 1983.After retirement from Lewiston High School, she served on the adjunct faculty at Central Maine Community College, then called Central Maine Vocational Technical College. During the last several years of her teaching, she became interested in the world of computers and, in retirement, launched a new career as an owner/operator of a home-based word and data processing business, Computer Craft, which has operated continuously since 1984.

She was a member of NEA, MREA, AREA, MARI, AARP and was an active member of the Androscoggin Retired Educators Association, serving as corresponding secretary/treasurer for many years. She was a member and served several years as the secretary of the advisory committee of L/A Senior College. She was a longtime member and past president of MU Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Teachers Society and was also a member of the Auxiliary of SMRMC, where she served first as secretary and later as president of the board of directors of the auxiliary. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, where she served as a Eucharistic minister, a member and secretary of the Parish Council and the Resurrection Choir, and also served with the Children’s Liturgy and Religious Education Program. She was a member and past prefect of the Queen’s Guild Society of the church. She was also a member and past president of the Auburn Art Club, a member of the Women’s Literary Union and a longtime volunteer for the St. Martin de Porres Residence. Additionally, she was a volunteer for WCBB Public Television, Seniors Plus and the American Red Cross, and was a member of the Maine Medicare Education Partnership.

She is survived by stepchildren, Janice Bigelow of Minot, Carole Byrnes of Paxton, Mass., and David Bickford of Alliance, Neb., sister-in-law, Dorothy Lane of Falmouth; nieces and nephews, Mary L. Lane of Virginia Beach, Va., Cynthia A. Shaw of Augusta, William N. Lane III of Lewiston, David B. Lane of Chapel Hill, N.C., Jeffrey M. Lane of Boston, Mass., and William A. Lane of South Portland; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; great and great-great nieces and nephews; and her shepherd dog, Sally.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband; and two bothers, Harold E. Lane, who died in December 1999, and William L. Lane II, who died in March 2002.

Condolences and donations may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.