NORTHPORT — Our dear loved one, Patricia (Pat) Faye Howard Richards, of Northport, passed away on May 31, 2019, at the age of 91, in the Harbor Hill Facility in Belfast from dementia.

Mom was born on September 30, 1927, the daughter of Clyde Frederick Howard and Sarah Vesta Bowen Howard. She attended Belfast schools and graduated in 1945 from the Crosby High School. Mom worked at the
F. W. Woolworth store in the business office, and Merrill Trust Bank where a banker from the First National Bank of Belfast would make visits to see a particular teller.

Mom and Foster Elmer Richards, brother to Hazel Mae Bryant, were married on June 8, 1947. Foster sold his car so they could honeymoon at Niagara Falls. Central Maine Power Company hired mom to run their office, which was next to the Colonial Theatre until 1959 when they began their family.

Their first child is Mary Ellen who married Michael Wayne Thompson. Their children are Patrick Michael Thompson and Peter Foster Thompson of Union. Patrick married Samantha Taylor and they have children, Brian Foster and Leroy Michael. Peter married Johanna Annette Ruiz and they have children, Jaydiin Xavier Ruiz and Hanah Grace. Their second child is Martha Jean Richards of Thomaston. Their third child is Mark Claude, who married Carina Louise Levesque and their children are Killyan Alex, who married Brandon Aleman, and Brooke Megan. A fourth child, Christiane Kroos came in 1979 from Germany to spend the school year of 1978-1979 through the American Field Service (AFS) program.

Chris and her husband, Dierk Lenz, came last fall to visit with Mom. Their children are Christopher and Patrick.

After the children were in school, Mom began work as a teachers aid and became known as Mrs. Richards to many children at the Pierce and George Robertson schools in Belfast. The family home was located across the road from the Edna Drinkwater School and many times the children called to Mrs. Richards to let her know that, Ben her dog had wandered over to the school playground. Mom loved working with children.

She so loved her home in Bayside. One year she had an overabundance of dahlia bulbs, so she put them on the front yard with a sign “free” and to this day the dark magenta dahlias can be seen where they were planted throughout Bayside. In the fall, she could be seen picking up apples under her trees with her bucket.

Community activities included the Band Boosters at Belfast Area High School, watching her children and grandchildren play various sports, a Girl Scout Leader, various committees at The First Church in Belfast, and walking at the Waldo County YMCA with a group of friends six days a week.

Her creative talents were as a seamstress and the braiding of stunning wool rugs. The cherished place was camp on First Roach Pond in Frenchtown. Many hours were spent picking wild blueberries in the blueberry field, raspberrying in cutover-forested areas, baking pies, and exploring the many woods roads. During her final moments, stories of camp were shared.

Her sisters, Hope Dora Littlefield Smith, Joanne Donna Degraff and sister-in-law Hazel Richards Bryant survive her.

Along with those mentioned above are nephews Douglas and Duane Bryant, David Littlefield, Jack and John Degraff, and nieces Patricia Dyke and Susan Bryant. Her husband, Foster, special friend Donald “Sam” Thompson, brother-in-laws Don Smith, Jimmy Degraff and Melvin Richards: and nephews Dennis “The Bear” Bryant, and Timothy and Michael Littlefield predeceased Mom.

There will be a graveside service of remembrance on June 20, at 6 p.m., at the Smart Cemetery in Belfast.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Waldo County YMCA to benefit their childrens programs or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank all of the Harbor Hill staff and the Waldo County General Hospital staff for the wonderful care mom received the last three years.

Remember that a smile can make a difference, keep drinking water, and visit your loved ones often as they always wait for your next visit.