Annie Opal Holmes Ryder

    RYDER, Annie Opal Holmes, 98, MARS HILL, October 23, 2010. At her request, there will be no visiting hours. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill.

    MARS HILL – Annie O. Ryder, wife of the late Roy W. Ryder, died Saturday, October 23, 2010, at the Aroostook Health Center Nursing Home at the age of 98. She was born in Bridgewater, July 23, 1912, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Bubar) Holmes.
    Annie attended the Boundary Line Grade School and graduated from Bridgewater Classical Academy as Valedictorian of her class in 1929. She was employed for many years at Graves Red and White Supermarket in Mars Hill. She was a member of several social and charitable clubs and organizations including the: 3S Club of the Blaine Baptist Church, the Blaine Happy Hour Club and the Mars Hill Community Club. She was a member of the Alva Rebekah Lodge of Blaine and served in several local and regional offices. She was a current member of the Jurisdictional Rebekah Lodge of Maine. In 2008, Annie was presented with the Boston Post Cane as Mars Hill’s oldest resident.
    She was an avid reader, loved playing Bingo, and was well known for her patchwork quilt making ability. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially playing cribbage with her sister Nellie.
    She was predeceased by her husband, Roy, in 1976; and by her son-in-law, Clifford Long; five brothers: Ernest, Frederick, Lawrence, Guy and Glenwood Holmes; and five sisters: Velma Brown, Dorothy Stiles, Sadie Snow, Helen Holmes, and Nellie Hallett.
    She is survived by four children and their families; a daughter, Gladys Long of Mars Hill, daughter, Sarah Beals of Brewer, Sarah’s family Patti and Keith Herrick and Kelly of Otis; Stephanie and Alan Sites of Bangor and Stephanie’s children, Jennifer Barnes and Tom Cushman; Brian and Shelly Beals of Hampden and their children, Carissa and Grant. Annie is survived by her son, Fred Ryder and his wife, Vinh and their children, Daniel and Tanya of Palm Coast, Florida; and her daughter, Tamara Massengale and Tammy’s daughter, Tami Anne and husband, Thomas Miro and their child, Thomas W.S. Miro of Norfolk, VA. She also leaves behind a sister, Mildred Bean of New Port Beach, CA; and sisters-in-law, Glenna Gett of Keene, NH, Margaret Holmes of Fort Fairfield, and Sarah Burnham of Mars Hill; as well as many nieces and nephews.
    At Annie’s request, there will be no visiting hours. A graveside service was conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at the Bridgewater Boundary Line Cemetery with Pastor Sue Brown officiating. Gifts of remembrance may be sent to the Bridgewater Historical Society, P.O. Box 341, Bridgewater, ME 04735. Arrangements in care of Duncan Funeral Home, 8 Main St., Mars Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com