Category: Fraternal Concerns

News items of interest

Fraternal Concern – Edith Cunningham

Submitted by Sherry Harriman, MSG Master/President

Our Grange family has once again lost a lifelong member.

Sister Edith Cunningham of Oakland passed away December 31, 2025. She is a former Musician of the Maine State Grange.

Services will be held January 17, 2026, at the United Baptist Church in Oakland at 2:00 with a time of visiting after the service. Edith’s family would like to invite all to join them. If you can’t attend the service, please share a memory at edoakland@myfairpoint.net.

Obituary submitted by Mary Colson, Benton Grange #458

OAKLAND – On Dec. 31, 2025, Edith Sturtevant Kerr Cunningham, passed on from this life to meet and spend eternity with her Lord and Savior.

A forever resident of Oakland, she graduated from M.L.Williams High School, Coburn Classical Institute, was an alumnus of Colby College and graduated from Bliss College. She was a Grange Member for 87 years and a former Maine State Grange Musician.

Predeceased by both parents; and husband, Ted Kerr and husband, Alfred Cunningham; brother, Eugene Sturtevant.

Funeral service to be held Jan. 17 at 2 p.m., at the United Baptist Church, Oakland, followed by a gathering with everyone in the vestry for a time to share remembrances, old and new memories, and celebrate her 103 years of living

Fraternal Concern, Sue Hackett

Submitted by Rebecca Curtis, Topsham Grange

Sue Hackett peacefully passed away on January 2, 2026. She was a former Maine State Grange Youth Director, a position she dearly loved. She was a member of the former Merrymeeting Grange #256, & when that Grange sadly closed, she joined Topsham Grange #37. Over the years, she held the offices of Lecturer, Master, & Lady Assistant, with Lecturer being among her favorites. She always got many compliments on the great programs she put together. She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur & Shirley Curtis, former state deputies and members of Merrymeeting Grange. She is survived by her husband Steven Hackett, her sister Rebecca Curtis, her daughter Barbara Hackett & granddaughter Paige & other loved ones. A funeral is planned for spring, where she will be laid to rest with her parents at Bayview Cemetery in Bowdoinham. Details will be announced at a later date. She will be greatly missed, yet we are thankful that she’s no longer suffering.

Fraternal Concerns

Submitted by Sharon Morton, MSG Secretary

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the death of Laura Macomber, mother of Debra Ivers, State Flora, and mother-in-law of Peter Ivers, State Gatekeeper.  Condolences may be sent to Deb and Pete at 961 Duck Pond Rd., Westbrook, Maine 04092.  

Cards of Get Well/Thinking of You can be sent to Lorraine Goodness, mother of Missy (Melissa) Baldwin, State Lecturer, who suffered a stroke and is doing well.  Cards can be sent to Sister Lorraine at 8 Guillemette Street, Sanford, ME 04073.

Fraternal Concern — Rolf Staples, Sr.

Submitted by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

It is my sad duty to inform you that Rolf Staples Sr. passed away on June 10, 2024, following a long illness. Rolf was a member of Bangor Grange and Old Town Grange, where he held numerous offices, including Master/President.

Rolf served as Deputy of the North Penobscot Pomona from 2006 to 2009 and on the Maine State Grange Membership Committee. He led numerous Degree Days and an Officer Installation Team. He and his wife Anne supported Granges in the area, including the Piscataquis Pomona. Rolf’s knowledge and understanding of “the Grange Way” was deep, and he truly loved the Grange. When Rolf said, “for the good of the Order,” you could trust it.

Cards of condolence and encouragement should be mailed to Anne Staples, 487 Grandview Avenue, Apt 202, Bangor, ME 04401

A service is scheduled on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at the Essex Street Baptist Church in Bangor. A complete obituary is available here.

May the example of our Brother inspire us to persevere and
when we are called to lay down our implements here on earth, may we be reunited with all our Brothers and Sisters who have labored in His glorious cause. May we enter the Paradise not made with hands, eternal in the heavens and receive that welcome plaudit: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We remember our Brother not as one dead – but as one gone on before us through the gates, where dwells the Great Master of us all.

Adapted from the Subordinate Grange Manual, 2023