Obituary of Alice Strong

Alice Margaret (Anderson) Strong, 94, of Winterport, Maine, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Orono Commons. She was born on February 5, 1921, in Quincy, Mass, to Iola G. (Hamm) and Walter E. Anderson. She graduated from Millis High School, Class of 1940. She is also a graduate of Burdett College of Business. On September 11, 1954 she married Herbert A. Strong, Jr. in Franklin, MA during the height of Hurricane Edna!They had no choice but to have a candlelight service as the power had gone out. In September, 1994, they had a 40th anniversary party, just 3 months prior to Herb’s death. Prior to their marriage she and Herb competed at the Norwood Roller Rink where they won several competitions together. Following her graduation from Burdett College of Business, Alice worked for many years as a secretary at the Norfolk Agricultural School in Norfolk, MA. She also enjoyed a long career as a bookkeeper for a variety of businesses both in MA and in Maine. After many years of driving back and forth to Bayside, Maine, for summer vacations at the family cottage, in 1968 they decided to “beat the rat race” and made the move to Belfast and eventually converted the ‘cottage’ to a year-round home. Alice was always a ‘doer’; volunteering for a variety of organizations. She joined the Order of the Eastern Star in Wollaston, MA, in 1955 and continued serving in several different chapters after the move to Maine. She was a Past Matron of Anchor Chapter in Searsport and also Bethany Chapter in Stockton Springs, as well an honorary member of Golden Rod Chapter in Rockland and Arbutus Chapter in Liberty. At the age of 80 she became a Life Member of Primrose Chapter in Belfast. She and Herb volunteered at the Owls Head Transportation Museum for many years and they also served on the advisory boards of two assemblies of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Belfast # 40 while their daughters were members and later Orono #38. She worked tirelessly as the Treasurer of the Northport Village Corporation for a number of years and logged in over 2500 hours as a volunteer at Waldo County General Hospital. One of Alice’s favorite past times, however, was singing. Wherever she lived she always managed to seek out a singing group or two, starting with her church’s choir, wherever she was a member, and community singing groups such as the Braintree Choral Society, Robert Coller Chorale, Belfast Community Chorus, and the River City Harmonizers. She was also a favorite “groupie” among the members of Maine-ly Harmony Chorus, as she always attended chapter performances and sometimes travelled to competitions with her daughters. She is survived by her daughters, Sue Staples and her husband, Robert, of Bangor, ME and Jan Flowers of Winterport; grandchildren Rebecca Bennett and her husband Ray, of Auburndale, FL, Meredith Staples of Bangor, Eric Flowers and fiancée Victoria Gagnon of Lincoln, ME, and Chris Flowers of Winterport; Great-grandchildren Alison, Brianna, and Ryan Moors of Auburndale, FL, Alec Flowers of Carmel, and Grayson Flowers of Lincoln, ME; Sister-in-law Mary Anderson of Medfield, MA; Nieces and nephews Karen Melnick of Ellenton, FL, Bud Anderson of FL, Ken Anderson, Mary Cleaves, of Medway, MA, Kathleen Anderson of Leah Cunningham, Billy Cunningham of Upton, MA, Lynne Agee and husband Tim of Brush Creek, TN; Greg Byramand wife, Lois, of Gray, ME, Lee Schelin and husband Wray of Sturbridge, MA , Henry Strong and wife Julie of New Zealand, and Kathy Strong of Weymouth, MA. In addition to her parents and husband, Alice was pre-deceased by her sister Doris Anderson Cunningham, brothers Walter T. and wife Kitty Anderson, and Eugene W. Anderson; in-laws Amelia and Herbert A. Strong, Sr., sister-in-law Marion Byram and husband Robert, brothers-in-law Roy Strong and wife Marjorie, Roland Strong and wife Stella, Ronald Strong and wife Stell, Everett Strong and wife Leslie; and great grandson Daniel Moors. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday February 21, 2015, beginning with an Eastern Star service at 2 PM at the Winterport Baptist Church, 100 Coles Corner Road, Winterport, Maine with Pastors Aaron Martin and David Pouchot officiating.A reception will follow downstairs. A graveside service and interment will be at a later date in Milton Cemetery, Milton, MA. Arrangements are by Riposta Funeral Home and Direct Cremations of Maine. Memorial donations may be made in Alice’s name to any of the following charities : Grand Chapter Charity Fund C/O Rheanne Frost, Grand Secretary PO Box 459 Peru, ME 04290 Daniel R. Moors Memorial Fund First Baptist Church 56 Center St. Bangor, ME 04401 (To benefit Christian Education at FBC) EMMC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit C/O EMMC Foundation PO Box 931 Bangor, ME 04402 The family wishes to thank the staff at Orono Commons, Maple/Holmstead Units for their love and special care.