HOPE — Francina Louise Pearse, 77, widow of William P. Pearse, died June 11, 2017, at the Sussman House in Rockport. Born in Camden on April 30, 1940, she was the first child born of Merton and Ruth (Hunt) Johnson and grew up on Howe Hill. A member of the Class of 1958 at Camden High School, Francina worked for several years at Day's Jewelers in Rockland.

A long-time member of Hope Grange #299, Francina had met William P. Pearse from Hope there. On Jan. 27, 1963, they married at the West Rockport Baptist Church and lived at the Pearse Farm in Hope.

Very active in community affairs, Francina was a charter member of the Hatchet Mountain Snow Riders; a 50+ year member of Hope Grange #299 and Knox Pomona Grange; a member of the R.F.D. Club; Hope Extension; Hope Historical Society; Camden Senior Citizens; Hope Fireman's Frolic; Hobbs Pond Association; and served as a school board member, selectman, zoning appeals board member and cemetery committee member for the Town of Hope. In 2007, Francina was honored with the Community Volunteer of the Year award by the Union Chamber of Commerce for her unselfish devotion, leadership and generosity.

Francina will likely be most remembered as the "town correspondent" for the Hope News column in the Camden Herald. Her mission in life was to gather and pass along information from Hope residents mostly by telephone, in order to report "all of the news" for her weekly newspaper column.

Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, preserving fruits and vegetables; and talking on the telephone.

The Pearse family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers at Windward Gardens for their kindness over the past seven years.

Francina was predeceased by her husband, William P. Pearse Sr., who died Sept. 29, 2014; and a brother, Phillip Johnson. Surviving are her two sons, William P. Pearse Jr. and his companion, Carrie Bickford, and Christopher A. Pearse and his wife, Linda, of Hope; her brother, Jarvis Johnson and his wife, Daisy, of Camden; her sister, Juanita Hunt and her husband, Roger, of Hope; as well as nieces, nephews and several special friends.

The funeral service followed by a reception will be held Saturday, June 17, at 3:30 p.m. at the Hope Fire Station, with the Rev. Dr. Susan Stonestreet officiating. Private burial will be held in Hope Grove Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Hope Volunteer Fire Department, 475 Camden Road, Hope, ME 04847 or to the Sussman House, c/o Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home.