Reta K. Herrick

LEWISTON — Reta K. (Kinney) Herrick, 79, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, after a brief illness. She was born in Eaton, Maine, on November 24, 1938, the daughter of the late George F. and Millicent (McLellan) Kinney.

Reta lived in Maine her entire life. She grew up in Danforth and graduated from East Grand High School in 1956, where she participated in basketball and Girls State. She then went on to the University of Maine at Farmington to receive her bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1960. Reta married John D. Herrick in July 1961, and they shared a loving marriage of more than 24 years, until his passing in 1985. Upon graduating from college, Reta taught high school home economics in Bath, Portland and Lewiston. After teaching, she was prominently known for owning and operating for many years her various fabric and sewing machine retail stores in Lewiston and South Portland. She also worked for the Lewiston Housing Authority and was a member of the Lewiston/Auburn Rotary, and took great pride in helping the community. She also was active in UMF alumni activities for many years. Reta enjoyed spending time with her extended family, attending reunions, sewing, teaching, traveling and frequent trips to the family camp on Phillips Lake at Lucerne-in-Maine.

Reta is survived by her three sons and their families: Mark and his children Michael and Margaret (Meg) of South Portland, and their mother, Elizabeth; John Jr. and Tracy and their children Samantha and Andrew of Auburn; Matthew and Jennifer and their children Evelyn, Alexandra and Charles of Wiscasset; along with many loved nieces and nephews. Reta also enjoyed spending time with her friends Pat and Dean Stearns, Toni Orestis and Georgie Rouillard.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her two sons Andrew and Kent; her brothers Frederick, Basil, Charles, Morris, and Ronald; and her sisters Avis, Clara, Sherlie, and Joyce.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories or offer condolences by visiting Reta’s online guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.