FARMINGTON – Rita M. “Caldwell” Everett, 92, of Stratton, died Monday, Sept 17, at the Franklin Memorial Hospital.

She was born Feb. 9, 1915, in Stratton, the daughter of Leslie S. and Lillian M. (Fletcher) Caldwell. She was educated in Stratton schools, graduating in 1933 from Stratton High School. She was known for her athletic abilities in basketball, softball and field and track.

She married Blynn Townsend in 1934. Rita, Blynn and their son, Fred lived in Portland during World War II, while Blynn worked in the shipyard. After the war, they returned to their home in Stratton.

She acted, along with her husband, Blynn as caretakers of camps at Arnold Pond from 1945 to 1953. They then went to the Megantic Fish and Game Club Camps at Chain of Ponds from 1953 to 1962. Blynn passed away April 6, 1962.

She married Chester Nickerson Jan. 1, 1967, and he died Nov. 27, 1967. On May 22, 1971, she married Elery Anderson, who died in January 1978. She married Harry Everett Nov. 8, 1981, he died Feb. 13, 1992.

She worked for several years as a cook in the Stratton and Eustis areas. Before she became ill, she was an active member of the Calvary Bible Church. She loved to cook, take care of her family and for many years tended to her elderly neighbors. She loved to fish, hunt, snowshoe, pick berries, garden, do pickling and canning. She played the accordion and loved good games of 63, cribbage and Scrabble.

She is survived by one son, Fred Townsend, and his wife, Debbie, of Stratton; one sister, Lillian Heath of Concord, N.H.; three stepchildren, June Nickerson-Hovey, and her husband, Dave, of Skowhegan, Donald Nickerson, and his wife, Josephine, of Monroe and Mabel Nickerson of Skowhegan; two grandchildren, Chad Townsend, and his wife, Kim, of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Beth Townsend of Ft. Collins, Colo.; one great-grandchild, Leslie Ruth Townsend, also of Colorado; three stepgrandchildren, Sharon Coolen, Teresa Higgins and Daniel Nickerson; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Janice Arvilla; two sisters, Hazel Ryan and Jesse Emerson; and one brother, Ernest Caldwell.