Patricia Zelma Bickford. Albert Leroy Buswell. Bertha Audrey Macdonald Saunders. Jeffery Alan Hardison. Cressida Eaton Keefe. Linda (Lynne) Ann Swift. Victoria Lynn Norwood George. Susan Elaine Smith.
Mar 08, 2026
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks.
We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or at a cost of $500 for people mourning. We’re free.
If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know, and we’ll share it here for you. We will also share obituaries that have been in other places, too. Just let us know.
This week, by request, we’ve started sharing obituaries from throughout Hancock County. This is a bit of a bigger lift for us, but we’ll try to keep doing it if it’s something that you all want. We all are so connected here.
Patricia Zelma Bickford
Patricia Zelma Bickford, 78, of Ellsworth died Feb. 27, 2026, at an assisted living facility in Ellsworth after a short illness. Pat was born March 4, 1947, in Bar Harbor to George L. and Theresa E. Cousins.
Pat is survived by her four children, Edward (Lisa) Smith; Hilary (Greg) Small; Patrick Smith and Justin Smith; her stepchildren, Troy Bickford and Jessicca Bickford; brother, Walter (Bonnie) Cousins, and sister, Diane Cousins; her grandchildren, Riley Smith, Hunter Smith, Gavin Altvater, Annie Montague, Cassandra Leighton, Julia Montague; great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Emelia, Aria, Bella, Elizabeth, Evelyn and Leo, and nephew Jesse.
She was predeceased by her husband Arlington (Elliott) Bickford, her parents and brother, Leroy Cousins.
Burial will be at Hadley Point Cemetery. A celebration service will be planned at a later date.
Albert Leroy Buswell
Albert Leroy Buswell, 87, died at his home on Swan’s Island on February 25, 2026. He was born on August 17, 1938, in Rockland, the son of loving parents Theodore and Alberta (Sprague) Buswell. Along with his four sisters, he was raised on Swan’s Island where his childhood was filled with memorable stories he would often recount later in life.
A graduate of Pemetic High School, Albert earned both his B.A. and M.A. from University of Maine and continued on to earn a certificate of advanced study in secondary teaching.
Following service in the U.S. Army, and brief time as a manager at the W.T. Grant store in Ellsworth, Albert became a teacher for the Ellsworth Public Schools. He taught for nearly 37 years, most of that time spent in the math department at EHS teaching algebra and geometry. As he personally found the subjects a bit dry, early on in his career Albert took the opportunity to weave stories from ancient history into his lectures, to offer students an entertaining and engaging perspective. With a plaster bust of an ancient mathematician in his classroom, and each class year treated to a dramatic recounting of Archimedes’ last words (”Don’t step on my circles!”), Albert was affectionately nicknamed “Euclid” by his students early on in his tenure.
Hanging on the back wall of his classroom, Albert displayed a nautical chart where he had marked “Heaven on Earth” to denote where he could be found each summer. Typically catching the last ferry of the day on the final school day of the year each June. Albert would return to Swan’s Island where he could be among his family and friends in the place which he had called home for his entire life. Having seasonally lobstered since he was a young man, Albert would spend his summer fishing along the shore and around the islands near Swan’s Island. He lobstered up until this past summer, when he began to feel the physical effects of aging start to win the battle against his youthful spirit.
Albert was the proud father of three daughters and two sons. Blessed with the arrival of 15 grandchildren spread across the past two decades, he looked forward each year to traveling to family gatherings and annually hosting everyone during July visits to his Stanley Point home. These visits were a highlight of his summer, as his grandchildren enjoyed many of the activities Swan’s Island has to offer that were unchanged since his youth—swimming and digging for things on the shore in front of his house, taking an afternoon dip in the Quarry Pond, a picnic and hike around Baker Island, fishing for mackerel in the harbor, and of course hauling a few traps to see what they might contain. He would often make a point to later remark on the great happiness he experienced simply seeing his children and the next generation of cousins spending time together.
Throughout his life, Albert enjoyed a special bond with his nephews Leonard and Roger (”The May Boys”) and later, their children as well. No week would be complete without getting “all caught up” with stories and conversation in the living room at his parents’ house, and seeing his extended family on the water, fishing the same waters and occasionally being on the giving or receiving end of a prank. Albert also had a special bond with nephew Michael Morrison, son of sister Etta. He greatly appreciated Michael’s artistic talents, sense of humor, and practical skills helping to keep things running, and being the builder of his favorite “wood, wire, and mesh” traps.
Albert is survived by his five children; Theresa Buswell, Anna Marchant, Amy Hook, Theodore Buswell, and Philip Buswell; three sons-in-law (Jonathan Friedman, Robert Marchant, and Marshall Hook); two daughters-in-law (Malinda Buswell and Vanya Buswell); and fifteen grandchildren: Rachel Friedman; William, Caitlin, James, and Charles Marchant; Margaret, Henry, Oliver, and Theodore Hook; Madeline, Audrey, Daniel, and Olivia Buswell; and Alexander and Victoria Buswell. He is also survived by his sister Leona Buswell and many special nephews and nieces.
There will be a gathering from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sat. March 7, 2026 at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert, with a spring funeral to be planned on Swan’s Island. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Swans Island Ambulance Service or the EHS General Scholarship Fund maintained by Camden National Bank.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Bertha Audrey Macdonald Saunders
Bertha Audrey Macdonald Saunders passed away Feb. 24, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born Dec. 29, 1943, to Delmar and Marguerite (Soper) MacDonald in Castine. Fostered from age two by Kathleen and Carroll Douglas of Trenton, they truly became her parents.
Her favorite childhood memories are of her time spent on the Morrison Farm on Graham Lake. In 1968 she married Michael Saunders. They had three children, Marcus, Marcia and Marnie. She is survived by Marcus Saunders and wife Jenny; Marcia Saunders and husband Shaun Pinkham; Marnie Saunders and partner Allan Walls. Also, grandchildren Shelby Saunders, Hailey Goodwin and husband Logan, Isaac Saunders, Shaylyn Smith, Andrew Solari, Sierra Colson and husband Ralph. Great-grandchildren include Karsyn and Fisher Burgess; Phoebe, Ralphie, Frankie and Rory Colson and Maeve Goodwin.
Her family would like to thank The Lamp Memory Care in Lisbon, their employees and hospice for Bertie’s amazing care. There will be no service at her request. Years ago, she asked that those who could, please donate to alz.org/maine to continue funding Alzheimer’s research.
Jeffery Alan Hardison
Born Dec. 26, 1957, to Patricia (Moon) and Willard Hardison, the third of five boys. Left Nov. 20, 2025, for his final fishing trip. He was lovingly seen off by his family with hopes of his landing his personal best!
Jeff spent his lifetime building beautiful craftsman homes in Hancock County and beyond. His spare time was spent gardening with his family, fishing with his fishing buddies, especially Mike, and helping family and friends with their various projects. They knew if they needed help, all they needed was to ask Jeff and he would be there to help.
He leaves behind a large family. His closest friend, his wife Lee; son Cameron and his life partner Shannon Schimpf and their children Mason and Madelynn Hardison; his daughter Chelsea and her domestic partner Steve Willey and daughter Anna Kinghorn.
His grandchildren were the world to him. He loved watching them grow and learn, having wonderful fun with life. He loved each one most for their individual reasons: Anna, the first grandchild, the first one to teach Gump that he would no longer be in charge when grandchildren were present; Mason, the only boy, who Gump knew would conquer his world flawlessly but at his own pace; and Madelynn, his “Little Bit” with a smile that came quickly and lit the world! He said the best jobs he ever had were being a Gump and a Dad—that nothing could top a room full of laughter from kids and grandkids!
He also leaves behind his four brothers, Mark, Marty, Jim and Amy, and Cliff and Sue; brother-in-law John Stuart and Anne; brothers-in-law Jamie Jones and Jackie and family, Chuckie Jones and Gatsie; nieces and nephews Amber, Mat, Jimbo, Dustin, Laura, Ian, Charlotte, Andy, Billy, Brian, Jessica and Amanda. He leaves his affectionately called “tribe of cousins,” who were like brothers and sisters to him.
A celebration of life will take place at Jeff and Lee’s residence in Sullivan in early summer. The date and time to be announced at a later date.
See ya later, Old Boot!
Cressida Eaton Keefe
Cressida Eaton Keefe, 88, passed away on Feb. 26, 2026. She was born in Blue Hill Falls, Nov. 22, 1937, the daughter of Charles and Vivian (Gilpatrick) Eaton. Cressida was a force of nature dearly beloved by her family and friends. She graduated from George Stevens Academy and took classes at Husson College. She was a tax collector and treasurer for Sedgwick, housekeeper for multiple Blue Hill summer residents and caretaker for the elderly. Among her many talents, Cressida was a gifted gardener, writer, baker, antique lover and wool rug artist. Above all else she loved her precious family and welcomed many visits from them at her home. Her incredible spirit has left an impact that will never fade, both in her family’s lives and in Blue Hill as a whole.
She is survived by her daughter, Clarissa Bucklin, of Portland, Ore.; sons, Calvin Keefe and wife, Shari, of Brewer, Maine, Howard Keefe of Blue Hill, Maine; grandchildren, Laurel Robinson and husband Jon and their children Carter, Owen and Lilly; Kendra Bruton and husband William and their daughters Micaiah, Eliezra and Aviah; Michael Keefe and husband Chase; Katherine Condon and husband Jeff and their son Hudson; Ashley Keefe and partner Mat and their daughters Mallory, Quinn, Sophia, Vanessa and Penelope; Lexi Collamore and husband Bryce and their daughters Avery and Madison; niece Sylvia Astbury and husband Perry; niece Ree Hamilton; nephew Lloyd Turner and partner Audrey; nephew Edward Turner; nephew Scott Astbury; nephew Alden Astbury; nephew Philip Eaton; nephew Douglas Eaton. She was predeceased by her parents; sisters Lorraine Turner and Bernice Astbury; brother Charles Eaton.
Per Cressida’s request there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter in memory of Cressida.
Linda (Lynne) Ann Swift
Linda (Lynne) Ann Swift, 87, of Bucksport, Maine passed away on March 1, 2026.
Lynne was born on Oct. 26, 1938, in Camden, Maine to Captain Frank Swift and Millicent Snow. She grew up in New Jersey.
In 1957, she married Don Lee Watson and they had a daughter, Donnalee Watson.
In 1960, she married William Storms and had four more children, Dan, Beth, Sam and Willie.
She is survived by her five children and their families:
- Daughter, Donnalee Watson, and partner Bobbie Hukki; granddaughter Yaicha Wathne (partner Corey Frost) and great-grandchildren Rylee LaBelle (husband Cody Jones), Jackson and Cyrus; great-great-grandson Archer; granddaughter Mica Wathne (partner Troy Jacobs).
- Son, Daniel Storms, and wife Marcy; grandchildren Mason (wife Bella) and Casey (partner Ben Udy); and great-grandson Zen; granddaughter Norma Kate Walton (husband Ebb).
- Daughter, Beth Storms, and husband Edward Gracie; granddaughter Tara Taylor (husband Sam Gorelick).
- Daughter, Sandra (Sam) Storms; granddaughter Heather Storms (partner Eric Sadler); great-grandchildren Rayna Mercier (partner Nate Bucci) and Warren Craig.
- Son, Willie Storms.
She is also survived by her brothers, Roderick Swift (wife Anne) and Walter Swift (wife Pam), and was predeceased by her brothers Bob and Ted Swift.
Lynne loved her family. She took care of their needs, even in hard times. She was a Jehovah’s Witness for many years, throwing “I love you” parties for her kids instead of celebrating birthdays and holidays. Lynne was entrepreneurial and hard-working. She flipped houses with her son Willie for many years. She also loved hosting a yard sale. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, was a driver for the senior companion rides, and a hospice worker. She passed under hospice care.
Lynne was full of creativity and never scared to be herself. She was a prolific poet, writing from childhood until recently. She enjoyed singing and silly dancing. She was always creating art, from snow sculptures to paintings and masks. She was a free spirit, taking trips throughout the country well into her seventies. She passed a love of board games down to her whole family. Her fun-loving spirit will be missed.
Victoria Lynn Norwood George
Victoria Lynn Norwood George, 70, of Stockton Springs, left us on March 4, 2026, after a 10-year battle with breast cancer. She was as strong as they came and she fought to the end with her family right by her side. Vicci was well known for her vibrant humor and had a “special” phrase about cancer that is too “colorful” for print.
Vicci was born Oct. 23, 1955, the first daughter of Victor L. Norwood and Frances M. Bemis Norwood. They brought her home to Bucksport, where she resided for 65 years until she moved to Sandy Point in Stockton Springs.
She graduated from Bucksport High School in 1974, then took cosmetology and beautician courses in Brewer. She went to work at Emple’s Knitting Mill, General Electric, Lums, Jed Prouty’s in Bucksport and a few others. She then followed her heart to nursing. She started her journey with the Bucksport EMS crew and expanded that into becoming a Bucksport firefighter. She went to Eastern Maine Vocational to become a CNA and then later a RN. In 1986, she took a position at the Bucksport Paper Mill as an industrial health nurse. In 1992, she took a new position as the employee health nurse at Waldo County Hospital in Belfast, working there for 33 years until retiring in 2024.
Beyond her professional life, she adored cooking for her family and friends. She was a phenomenal cook/baker and expressed her love through her delicious food. She made sure nobody left her home hungry. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, and she was known for making a pie or two for every guest at the table! Every single dish she made for any holiday, birthday or everyday meal was made with her whole heart and there were ALWAYS leftovers!
Vicci had a special ability to make people feel accepted and loved. She was ready to listen and offer sincere unfiltered advice or support to anyone at any time of day or night. Especially her daughter Brandie, her beloved granddaughter Maya, son Bryce, her sister Donna and to her nieces and “heart daughters,” Tera, Mandy, Heidi, Sanna, Ellie, Megan, Kasey, Chelsea, Cassina and Marielle. She loved her “girlies” and her son so dearly; they meant the world to her.
She held a very special place in her heart for her friends from all of her workplaces, including all the staff, nurses and doctors at Waldo County Hospital, especially the oncology department.
Vicci had a love of traveling. Just this year, she traveled all throughout Maine, up and down the east coast to North Carolina and Florida, Colorado, New Brunswick, a cruise to Mexico/Belize and Italy. She did not let her illness stop her from enjoying her travels. She loved traveling with “her Al,” her adoring husband/constant companion, and their fur child, Timmy the labradoodle, was right beside them for the ride. They were always up for a planned or spur-of-the-moment adventure!
She lived life every day to its fullest. Whether it be adventuring, eating out at her favorite restaurants (going to the Olive Garden with Maya was her favorite), girls’ days, manicure or hair coloring appointments for her famous purple and blue highlights, shopping for gifts or anything purple (her favorite color), going to concerts, listening to music (especially Prince), cooking, gardening, taking photos of everything and everyone or making someone’s day beautiful. She was a wonderful person and just so much fun to be around, the life and light of every party.
Vicci leaves behind the love of her life and husband of 10 years, Alfred George of Stockton Springs; daughter Brandie Cardenas and her husband Juan of Bucksport; son Bryce Babson of Alaska and Bucksport; granddaughter Maya Babson and Maya’s mother and Vicci’s heart daughter, Cassina Kimball of Bucksport; heart daughter, Mandy Worden, her husband John and grandson Mason of Winterport; best friend and sister Donna Enright and Jimmy Ledbetter of Charlotte, North Carolina and their children, Kasey, Brandon and Chelsea; niece and heart daughter, Tera Gellerson, her husband Todd and their children Ellie Walker and Megan Gellerson of Bucksport; sister-in-law, Cathy Reyes, her husband Roberto and their granddaughter Esther; niece and heart daughter, Heidi Chandler, her husband Mark and children Ethan and Audrey; niece and heart daughter, Sanna Norwood-Harrop, her husband Sean and their children Jacob and Evelyn; special friend and heart daughter, Marielle Thomas; brother, David Norwood of Ellsworth and his wife Kathy; sister, Candace Witham and her son David Witham of Bucksport and brothers Frank Norwood and Ralph Norwood; as well as many other friends and family members that loved her.
In remembrance of Vicci, find your happiness every single day and make every moment count, as she did.
A service to celebrate Vicci’s life will be held on Monday, March 9, at Sandy Point Congregational Church in Stockton Springs at 4 p.m. Please wear a little or a lot of purple in her honor.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the oncology department at Waldo County Hospital in Belfast or the Bucksport Animal Shelter.
Arrangements under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bucksport. mitchelltweedie-young.com
Susan Elaine Smith
Susan Elaine Smith of North Haven, CT, passed away on February 26, 2026, at the age of 76 years old. Susan was born on October 27, 1949, in Rockland, ME, to the late Oakley George and Lunette Christina (Nelson) Smith.
Susan was raised on Swans Island, ME, where she resided until she attended Higgins Classical Institute for High School. Susan went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in education at the University of Maine, and later received her nursing degree at Quinnipiac University in CT. She spent most of her career teaching child development at Hamden High. Susan will be remembered as a very creative, nurturing and spiritual person. She began sewing at a young age, quickly learning to make her own clothes for herself and her friends. Her gardens were a wild riot of color, while her wall hangings and quilts were works of art. Dancing was one of her passions, attending contra dances and live music. She adored her animals, including several Maine coon cats and toy poodle dogs. Susan raised her family in North Haven, CT, but enjoyed spending her summers on Swans Island with her children. She was very proud of her island heritage. Susan will always be remembered fondly as a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and teacher. Her loss will be felt by many people, especially her family.
She leaves behind a daughter, Christina and her husband, Peter Maisano, of Marlborough, CT; a son, Brian and his wife, Jessica Stoehr, of Swans Island, ME; a brother, Jerry Smith; a niece, Gerri Lynn Smith; her grandchildren, Nathan and Camille; and many extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by a nephew, Oakley Smith.
A celebration of life will be held on Swans Island the weekend of September 27. The Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester, CT, has been entrusted with care of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.
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