Martha B. Flint

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Martha B. Flint,

BRIDGTON — Martha B. Flint, 77, of Bridgton, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at her home in Bridgton. She died after a heroic battle with cancer.

She was born in North Bridgton on December 19, 1933 to Horace and Josephine Ridlon Flint. She graduated third in her class at Bridgton Academy in 1952.

Ms. Flint was honored numerous times for her tremendous voluntarism and community contributions. She was nominated for the WCSH6 Jefferson Award in 1992, received the Alumni Service Award from Bridgton Academy in 1992, the Outstanding Volunteer award in 2001 from the Fryeburg-Lovell VFW Auxiliary, was presented a BA championship watch by the Bridgton Academy basketball team in 2005, and was inducted into the Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame in 2007.

She worked for the Norway Shoe Company for 18 years until 1971, at which point she embarked on a career with the United States Postal Service. She worked as a Postal Clerk for Center Lovell, Harrison, Lovell, Stoneham, North Bridgton and Portland. In 1981, she was named Postmaster of 04057, in North Bridgton, a post she proudly held until her retirement in 1995. It was in the North Bridgton posting that she served not only the community but a new class of Bridgton Academy students each year, a role she relished.

Ms. Flint's extensive community involvement included past service to the Rainbow Advisory Board, Hope Haven Gospel Mission, Town of Sweden, North Bridgton Community Club-President, Bridgton Historical Society-Secretary, Officer to the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem Madonna Shrine, Bear Mountain Grange-Secretary, and the Heritage Fund.

She remained active up until her last days with the Fryeburg-Lovell VFW Auxiliary, where she had been involved since 1971, serving variously as President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain and Color Bearer. She served as Secretary to the V.F.W. District 10, representing Cumberland County at both State and District conventions. She was an officer in Bridgton's Order of the Eastern Star, served on the board of Bridge Crossing, and held Chairs on Harrison's Lakeside Grange and Oxford Pomona Grange. She frequently volunteered at the Maine Veterans Home. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Waterford Seniors, and the Golden Oldies. She was also very involved with the State Grange as well as the National Grange. She was a Charter Member of the North Bridgton Historical Society as well as the Sweden Historical Society. She served as Deacon for both the North Bridgton and Sweden Churches and was the Secretary and Treasurer for the North Bridgton Cemetery Association. In addition, she formed the Bridgton Chapter of the Red Hat Society, building it to over 100 members. She also served as the first Vice President of the Bridgton Hospital Guild.

She was ever present at Bridgton Academy alumni and athletic events and enjoyed a lifetime lunch pass at the Academy where she could keep tabs on "her boys." Years ago, she founded an award in the name of her family at Bridgton Academy that recognizes academic improvement. To date, over 30 years of Bridgton Academy graduates have been honored with the Flint Improvement Award.

Martha B. Flint was a shining example of someone who loved life and lived it to the fullest. During her final weeks there was an ever present flow of friends and family visiting her home to share with her stories and wish her well as she prepared for this journey. She will be dearly and eternally missed by the many friends, family and fans she has left behind.

In the last months of her life, her friends and family gathered several times to show her their support and appreciation. An event held at the Sweden Town Hall was standing room only and many wonderful and at times humorous stories involving her were shared. At a recent Bridgton Academy basketball game the team had had her favorite spot in the stands painted to celebrate her longtime support, and to remind everyone just whose spot it is.

Ms. Flint is survived by her sister, Marion Flint Brooks of Naples; brother, Samuel Flint of South Portland; loving nieces and nephew, Craig Flint of Gray, Cathy Flint of Portland and Sherry Flint of California; step-daughter, Ellen Gillford and step-grandson, Corey Gillford. She was predeceased by her brother, Horace Flint Jr. and her step-grandson, Shawn Smith.

A celebration of her life will be held at Bridgton Academy in the Memorial Gym on Saturday, March 19, at 2 p.m..

At Ms. Flint's request, in lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be directed to the Annie R., Horace A. and Martha B. Flint Award, c/o Bridgton Academy, PO Box 292, North Bridgton, ME 04057.

Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. On-line condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org.