SACO — Ilma Louella Nelson “Emmie” Tracy, a longtime resident of Saco and Berwick Estates in South Berwick, died at her residence after a long illness, Saturday evening, Sept. 27, 2014, at the age of 88.
She was born in Saco July 16, 1926, the only child of Samuel Leroy Nelson (AKA McDaniel) and Minnie Louella Dyer.
Following the disappearance of their father Sam in 1926, and his reported death in Chicago shortly thereafter, she was adopted at an early age by aunt and half sister to Minnie, Nellie May Fidella (Dyer) Wormwood and husband Edmond F. “Fred” Wormwood of Saco, Arundel/North Kennebunkport and Kennebunk; she attended schools in each of the three communities.
She married Laurence William Tracy Sr. in Saco on Aug. 12, 1943, he was the son of William Emerson and Mildred May (Huntress) Tracy. They had three children: Laurence William Tracy Jr., husband of Joanne Eileen Mogan, of Kennebunkport; Patience Elaine Bell, wife of Allen, of Wells; and Cheryl Hope Aranovitch, wife of David, of Scarborough.
Purportedly named similarly after a revered nurse from Germany, who lived in Saco during the 1920s, Ilma possessed a keen mind that twice allowed her to skip early grades, and an ability to totally recall past events in detail. Her sole dedication in life was as a caring and loving mother to her family, always utilizing her kitchen skills at every meal, and providing the most luscious desserts and pastries that graced each table. Often she would say, “Everyone needs a little sugar, dear,” all the while extolling the virtues and necessity for sweets.
She was preceded in death by: former husband, Laurence, in 2008; and all her half brothers and half sisters in prior years, Henry Wormwood of Kennebunk, Abigail “Tootsie” Plummer, Dorothy Wormwood, John Wormwood and Diantha Smart, all of Saco, and Evelyn Wormwood, who died young.
Also surviving are: her granddaughter, Rhonda Jill Tracy of Old Orchard Beach; one cousin, Joan (Bolser) Gregoire, the daughter of Ernest and Alice (Dyer) Bolser of Scarborough; one niece and one nephew.
A graveside service for family and friends will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, near the spring daffodils and timeless sundial that grace the banks of the Saco River. Dr. Burton Howe will officiate. Dennett, Craig & Pate, 365 Main St., Saco, is in charge of the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Foundation Fighting Blindness, 7,168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046.
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