Laura W. (Bickford) Arsenault

SCARBOROUGH – Laura W. (Bickford) Arsenault of Skowhegan passed away July 6, 2023, at the age of 96. She was the youngest child of Leslie W. Bickford and Ruby (Dorian) Bickford. She was born May 8, 1927, in Smithfield, Maine. She received her education in a one-room schoolhouse in Smithfield, and at Norridgewock High School.

On Feb. 10, 1948, she married Agnew P. Arsenault, and they raised three fine sons, twins Darryl L. and Eric P. Arsenault and Gregory W. Arsenault. Agnew passed away Oct. 21, 1977, at the age of 56. Laura went to work at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home in 1982 as a dietary aide, where she worked for 20 years, retiring in 2002. She was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Skowhegan, where she was the chaplain for many years. She was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Skowhegan.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and word games. She also loved listening to music, big band/jazz being her favorite. She always fed the birds and squirrels and enjoyed spending time with her sons and daughter-in-law, Liz, especially when they all went to Ken’s Restaurant for her favorite meal, fried haddock and onion rings.

She is survived by all three sons, Darryl of Freeport, Eric and his companion Joyce Arthurs of Levant, and Greg and his wife Liz of Yarmouth; grandsons Eric R. Arsenault and his wife Nicole of Saco, and Darryl P. Arsenault of Connecticut; special niece Kathy Dea Soucier and her husband Bruce of East Baldwin, and their sons Jarred Russell and Bryce Soucier, as well as several nieces and nephews. She’s also survived by step-niece Karen Foster of Smithfield, and loved her cats: Frisky, Casey, Mona Lisa, Sally and Cara.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, brothers Glenwood (Buster) Bickford, Lauris W. Bickford and Ronald H. Bickford, sisters, Margaret Ellis and Madeleine Bennett, sisters-in-law, Catherine, Bickford, Ruth Bickford and Perdita Bickford, special cousin Thelma Staples and grand-nephew Matthew Russell.

Committal services will be held at the convenience of the family at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta.