1931 – 2014

RUMFORD — Esther Rideout, 82, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 12, at her home on Wyman Hill Road in Rumford.

She was born in Mexico on April 18, 1931, a daughter of Paul and Arlene (Gray) Cormier. She was a graduate of Mexico High School, Class of 1948. Esther was married in Mexico in 1949 to Elroy “Roy” Rideout, who died in Rumford on Oct. 19, 1999. She worked as a nursing assistant at Rumford Community Hospital for many years.

Esther’s greatest enjoyment was being the mother and grandmother to her extended family, and hosting numerous family gatherings through the years. She also enjoyed her Friday night cribbage and her monthly class luncheons. Esther relished the many trips she took with her daughter, JoAnn, and was always eager to relate her many adventures to anyone who would listen.

She was an avid hunter and fisherwoman, and was but one of a handful of female hunters who could qualify to be members of the prestigious Biggest Buck of Maine club. For many years during the 1980s and early 1990s, she could be found helping her son, Tom, preparing delicious meals at Bosebuck Mountain Camps.

Survivors include a daughter, JoAnn Rideout, of Fairfield; two sons, Tom and his wife, Martha, of Magalloway Plantation and Peter and his companion, Belinda Smith, of Mexico; three grandchildren, Sarah Rideout of Peru, Jacob Rideout of Richmond and Julia Rideout of Kingfield; a great-granddaughter, Ava Burnette, of Peru; and a special niece, Cindy Rideout, of Phoenix, Ariz.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; a son, Bill; a sister, Pearl Gingras; and a brother, Herbert Cormier.

Friends and relatives are invited to sign the online register book and share memories with her family at www.meaderandson.com.