Lempi Widdecombe Pierce Obituary (1919

ROCKLAND - Lempi Widdecombe Pierce, 84, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, August 21, 2003 after three years of residence at Knox Center for Long Term Care here. Born in South Thomaston, May 20, 1919, she was one of ten children of Michele and Mary Ojala Sutela. She was educated in South Thomaston and Rockland schools. May 8, 1939, she married Clarence Widdecombe at the Finnish Church in South Thomaston. For several years she made her home in Rockland. During those years she worked at F.J. O'Hara and Sons Seafood, Forty Fathoms, Stinson Canning and Port Clyde Packing Company. After Mr. Widdecombe's death, July 31, 1952, she moved to Connecticut. On October 7, 1953 she married Donald V. Pierce at Seabrook, New Hampshire. The couple first lived in Rockland, before moving to Massachusetts for a short time. They returned to Rockland, and then settled in Vernon, Connecticut. For a brief period, she worked at Cavrock Siding Company and later assisted her husband in his painting and paper-hanging business. Mr. Pierce died September 1, 1973. Mrs. Pierce lived her life totally involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed collecting teddybears. While living in Connecticut, she attended Faith Baptist Church in Manchester. Mrs. Pierce is survived by two sons and their wives, Clarence Widdecombe, Jr. and Linda of Brisbane, CA, Jeffrey N. Pierce and Kerry of Burlington, CT; five daughters and their husbands, Patricia and James W. Jones of Rockland, Shirley and Mike Stubbs of Corinna, Mary and Wendell Holder of Petaluma, CA, Angela and David Wallis of Knoxville, TN, Deborah and Steve Felentge of Portland, TN; 20 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Mrs. Pierce's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 5, 2003, at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. Pastor James Beliavsov will officiate. Interment will follow in Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Maine Children's Cancer Program, 100 US Route One, Unit 107, Scarborough, ME 04074.