Ellsworth
“Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key component to gratitude. And gratitude a key component to joy.” — Amy Weatherly
Mom saw the wildflower and lived a life full of joy, being thankful for every little thing. Her joy was in the Lord. I have a framed picture she made me where she wrote the verse, “This is the day which the Lord hath made. Rejoice, be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) And she lived every day just like that. Her priorities were not on material things or anything for herself other than people’s time. She appreciated the things that are truly important in life … family, friends, spending time with loved ones and doing for others. She never met a stranger. Give her five minutes and she would know your life story because she cared enough to ask, and she really wanted to know. And she’d remember and check in to see how everyone in your family was doing.
Mom spent countless hours faithfully sending birthday, anniversary and thinking of you cards to many people she loved. When COVID caused children to need to learn remotely, Mom wanted to contribute to their education and began making up packets of educational and coloring pages to send to every family she knew who had children. She was a teacher at heart. I want to offer my heartfelt appreciation for those of you who wrote back to Mom. She was always so pleased to get mail and would hang the cards up immediately. Again, something that might seem like a simple thing meant the world to her.
So, who is my Mom? Andrea J. Davis liked to be called Andy. She was born March 29, 1947, in Bar Harbor, to Harold D. Richards and Ida L. (Gott) Richards. She was the oldest of four children and always spoke of her siblings with such love, sharing memories from growing up as well as current day-to-day life. Family meant the world to Mom. Though she was told when she was younger that she would never have children, she proudly had four. My twin brother and sister who were born after me did not get the opportunity to spend time with our mother until now. Now they are getting Mom’s hugs. I’m glad they can be together now. And I am sure Mom is singing. Growing up and as an adult, I used to love to hear her singing.
Mom had a strong work ethic and would reminisce about her first job working at the West End Drug Store in Bar Harbor when she was a teenager. She also loved the time she spent as an adult working at the family business in Bar Harbor, Pine Grove Cabins. There she worked alongside her mother and treasured that time they had together. Mom also provided many years of child care to many children during her lifetime. Throughout her life Mom was very involved in her church, teaching Sunday school for many years. She loved and appreciated her church family so much. Mom valued doing for others and was the most thoughtful and selfless person I have ever met. She made more afghans to give away than I would dare put a number to. Later in life she switched to other crafts, which she really enjoyed. Mom used to thank me for being her daughter. I am the one who is thankful to have had a mom who loved me so much and to have been able to benefit from her example and unconditional love. One day when I went to see Mom she introduced me to someone who was there. That person said, “I thought you’d have a halo over your head the way your mother talks about you.” Again, where others see the thorns, Mom saw the flower. I only hope to be half the person she thought I was. Countless people have told me how much better they felt just spending a little time around her because she was so genuinely positive and complimentary. I hope everyone who was touched by Mom will continue to spread the love and joy that she consistently gave to others.
Mom was predeceased by her parents; grandparents, Frank and Lucy Gott, who were especially dear to her; and son Stephen and daughter Susan, who were twins. She is survived by myself, Ida Lucy, as she used to call me, being proud that I had the first name of her mother and the middle name of her grandmother, and my husband, Rudy Bagley, who she would constantly say could do anything. That’s because he came alongside me and made sure if Mom needed something that she got it. We had so many fun times going on various outings and having her over for holidays. One of her favorite outings was our annual trip to Castine. During COVID, Rudy made many different signs to put outside her window to give her something different to look at with messages sharing our love for her. Her youngest daughter, Honey Lynn, gave Mom three grandchildren, Meghan, Timothy and Katelynn. Mom enjoyed seeing Honey be a mother and spending time with her and the kids when they were growing up. In recent times she looked forward to evening phone calls with Meghan and hearing about Meg’s children. Mom has five great-grandchildren. Mom had many fond memories of her sister, Lynda, both when they were growing up and as adults going on their weekend adventures of yard saling. Lynda’s husband, Al Clay, meant a lot to her. Her youngest sister Carole held a special place in Mom’s heart, as they were born on the same day nine years apart. Mom always considered her a present. She looked forward to their visits and enjoyed when Carole would do her hair or her nails. Mom’s brother George was the baby in the family and was dear to her. She was happy for him finding happiness with his wife, Nicole. Mom had a very special nephew, Jake, who she thought of like a son. They would have “date nights,” sometimes involving Chinese food and visiting that she always enjoyed. She loved any time that she got to spend with “her boy.” Mom had a cousin who was very special to her, Brenda Bartlett. She thought of her like a sister and always enjoyed their visits and phone calls. The last few Christmases Mom looked forward to her annual shopping trip with her niece Holly. And every year her nephew Allen would remember her at Christmas and send her a gift. The fact that he lived so far away and still thought of her meant a lot to Mom. She had many more nieces and nephews who are too many to mention but who each held a very special place in her heart. I would be remiss not to mention Mom’s pastor and wife, Burt and Sharon Lowry, who were just like family to her. She couldn’t love them more if they were. She always enjoyed their visits.
If Mom were to leave you with any thoughts, I believe they would be to put others first, show how much you love each other every day, and to be happy. Just last month she told me, “Daddy taught us, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I remember that every day.” And she did. Mom felt loved when people spent time with her. Don’t we all? I am grateful that Mom didn’t leave anything unsaid. I knew how very much she loved me and how proud she was of me. And she knew how much I loved her and appreciated her devotion as a mother and a friend, and the great amount of time and love she shared with me growing up and as an adult. One memory we talked about often was the hours she would spend swinging the rope when I was little so I could jump rope. She gave us what was most valuable, her time and love.
Mom loved colors. If you are able to join us as we remember and honor Mom, please wear pretty colors. It will make her smile. For many years Mom has made donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. This year for her birthday, she asked others to donate as well and considered this a gift to her. If anyone would like to send a donation in Mom’s memory it would be meaningful to her.
A service will be held Saturday, June 25, at the Ellsworth Assembly of God on Beechland Road in Ellsworth at 1 p.m. Following that the family will proceed to the cemetery for a private committal and then return to the church for a time of fellowship and refreshments.
Big, big hugs, Mom! Big, big hugs! I love you!
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.