Frances Ruth Kersey

RUMFORD — It is with great sorrow the Kersey family mourns the loss of their “Queen,” Frances Ruth Kersey, mother of six children, of Rumford who died Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Rumford Hospital.

Born in Rumford on March 11, 1927 she was a daughter of Thomas and Gladys (Pratt) Ellis. She was a graduate of Mexico High School and Bernard’s Beautician School. For many years she and her husband owned and operated the Mexico Chicken Coop in Mexico.

She was a communicant of the Parish of The Holy Savior St. Athanasius St John Church in Rumford; a member of St. Timothy Circle #504 Daughters of Isabella and was a former member of the VFW Auxiliary.

With the grace of God she lived a life of many blessings. She loved to travel and entertain. She also loved flowers and Roxbury Pond. Most of all she loved her beautiful family and her many friends. Her elegance and presence on this earth shall be forever missed.

She married the love of her life of 60 years in Rumford on September 5, 1951, Leo F. “Demps” Kersey, Jr., who survives of Rumford. Other survivors include a daughter, Charlene Kersey Newcomb and Doug Ryan; three sons, Leo Francis Kersey, III and wife Lori-Lynne, Michael Thomas Kersey and wife Candy and Patrick Sean Kersey and wife Deanna; her only son-in-law, David  Martineau of 41 years; grandchildren, Matthew Augustus Slover, Lori Frances Fakler, Kelly Ann Sastamoine, George A. Newcomb, III, Leo Francis Kersey, IV, Erik S. Kersey, Brooke Lynne Kersey, Michael Thomas Kersey, Jr. and Kathleen Frances Kersey and four great-grandchildren, Jackson and David Bryce Fakler and Tucker and Ava Sastamoine.

She joins her two daughters born of love, Colleen Marie Martineau and Kathleen Frances Kersey in the Heavenly Kingdom of God, along with her brothers, Ivis and Harold Ellis and sisters, June Nisbet and Esther Brock.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Parish of the Holy Savior, St. Athanasius – St. John Church, Rumford, with Fr. Phil Tracy as celebrant and Fr. Raymond Carignan as concelebrant.

Organist was Mr. Mark Belanger. Altar Assistant was Mr. Bernard Poirier.

Music selections were: “Amazing Grace”, “Ave Maria”, “The Old Rugged Cross”, and “In The Garden”.

Readings were given by granddaughters Brooke Kersey and Kelly Sastamoine. Eulogy was given by God Daughter Linda Jo Ferris and granddaughter Lori Fakler.

Gift Presenters were her sons Pat, Michael, and Leo Kersey, III. Honorary delegation present was from St. Timothy Circle # 504, Daughters of Isabella.

Committal services were conducted by Fr. Phil Tracy at St. John Cemetery, Rumford, ME.

A reception followed the services at 49 Franklin Street, Rumford.

Those who desire may contribute to the Tucker Sastamoine Foundation, c/o Oxford Federal Credit Union, 455 River Road, Mexico, ME 04257 or to the Oncology Dept c/o Rumford Hospital, 420 Franklin St., Rumford, ME 04276 in her memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St. Rumford. Friends and relatives are invited to sign the on-line guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.

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Frances Ruth Kersey