Berlah Littlefield Obituary (1915

West Gardiner -- Berlah M. (Blackwood) Littlefield, 93, of West Gardiner, died November 6, 2009,at Gray Birch Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, Augusta, with her loving family surrounding her bedside. She was born December 25, 1915, in West Pembroke, Maine, the daughter of the late Wallace Israel Blackwood and Nellie Ward Blackwood.After graduating from Boston Teacher's College in 1937, Berlah went on to raise a family in Randolph and teach second grade at Marcia Buker School in Richmond, Maine (1963-1979). She was a 4-H Leader of the Randolph Riverside Girls (1957-1968). Berlah enjoyed being an active member of the Cobbosseecontee Grange and the Chelsea Grange. As a member of Eastern Star, Marion Chapter # 63, she held the position of Esther (1981-1982). She was a member of the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church in Gardiner for 60 years, participating as a past President of the Untied Methodist Women and member of the Northern Avenue Circle. She taught Sunday School for many years and was a certified Lay Speaker. She was awarded the Mission Pin in 2000. Berlah enjoyed a variety of activities including exercising at the YMCA pool. She loved to paint and became an accomplished artist. Berlah was predeceased by her husband, Robert F. Littlefield, Sr., in 1976; son James W. Littlefield, in 1969; two brothers: Clarence Blackwood and Wallace Blackwood, and two sisters: Muriel Hettman, and Pauline Turner, as well as half-siblings Mildred Madden, George Blackwood, Sybil Cusick, and Anastasia Ryan.She is survived by children: Robert F. Littlefield, Jr. and wife Lucia - Dorchester, MA; Nancy P. Sylvester and husband David - Barnard, Maine; Dwight R. Littlefield and wife Audrey - West Gardiner, Maine, and grandchildren: Elizabeth Brown and husband Jason - Pittston; James Littlefield and wife Ronda - West Gardiner; John Sylvester and wife Glenda - Levant; Gary Sylvester and wife Heather - Freeport; Wesley Littlefield and fiance Kaitlynn Mathias - Pittston; Ross Littlefield and wife Karen - West Gardiner; Alyssa Littlefield and fiance Dustin Haskell - Farmingdale; plus several nieces, nephews, and great grand children.A Memorial Service will be held at Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, Gardiner, at 11:00 AM, December 12, 2009. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to: Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, 35 Highland Avenue, Gardiner, Maine 04345.