Obituary of Mary H. Rickard

Mary Helen (Bissell) Rickard, age 83 of the Tuscarora Indian Nation, passed away Monday September 24, 2012 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston. Mary was born in December 17, 1928 in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of the late Harry and Emma (Judd) Bissell. She was a Seamstress at the Seneca Niagara Casino with her twin sister, Edith, for the last 10 years. She had not yet retired and wanted to and loved to work. Mary started her working career as a cook at the Tuscarora School for several years. She then worked at the Ransomville Nursing home with her niece Carolyn. Mary experienced life to the fullest with her family, friends, and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She attended every sporting event she could to watch her grandkids play. Mary was a devoted wife and mother who worked hard her entire life. She was known for her pie baking, sewing traditional clothing and many would remember her ability to find a well for residents of the Tuscarora Community. Her pastimes were Bingo, playing cards, and loved to travel with her family. At her age of 83, Mary has been to Disney countless times, coast-to-coast visiting and touring; she never liked the Caribbean Islands but went to be with her family. We remember her cruise and seasickness and her dislike of flying over the ocean. Mary was the widow of Clark Rickard whom she married on June 25, 1953. Clark predeceased her on November 11, 1995. She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth (Will) Printup; a son, Joseph (Ann) Rickard; her grandchildren, Joanne, Amber, Joseph, William, Andrew, Jordan and Allison , Isabella, Cara, Nicholas and Dominic, Bob and Sue Gansworth, Gill, AnnMarie, Amber, Jolene, Jenna, Jason, Jordyn, and Sasha; her twin sister, Edith Printup; a brother, Joseph Bissell; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Alfred and Harold and three sisters, Gladys, May, and Caroline. Visitation will be held at Mary's home, 1919 Upper Mt. Rd., Lewiston on Wednesday after 11:00 am. Funeral Services will be held in her home on Thursday, September 27, at 1:00 PM. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston.