Annette Picher

FALMOUTH – Annette Picher, 87, formerly of Winthrop and Auburn, died April 2, 2025, at Legacy Memory Care.

The lone child of Alvah and Elizabeth Wyman, she graduated from Oakland’s Williams High School and Colby College, where she met Gedeon Picher, her husband of 50 years. They wed in 1959 and moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. They welcomed two children there and two more after returning to Maine.

She was a primary caregiver and a writer for Maine’s Catholic weekly, The Church World. Other writings appeared in the Sunday Boston Herald Traveler, The Boston Post, Good Old Days Magazine, Young World Magazine and a series for The Christophers. She worked at libraries in Winthrop and Wayne, for the census and in respite care.

She was a devoted volunteer for parish ministries in Winthrop and Auburn, including elementary and high school catechesis and adult education. She took part in New England Journey and was a graduate of the Center for Parish Ministry. She also advocated for Winthrop High School debate and speech.

After Gedeon died in January 2009, she met a kind and gentle soul, David Footer, at St. Philip Church, where they wed in July 2011. They were married for a decade before David’s death.

She is survived by children Heidi Picher Dempsey (James Dempsey), Keith Picher (Susy Sullivan), Glenn Picher (Caroline Clavel) and Danielle Gaillard-Picher; eight grandchildren; seven nieces and nephews; her in-laws; the Footer family and many dear friends.

Visitation with urn will be on Monday, April 14, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home, 253 Pine St., Lewiston. The funeral Mass will be on April 15, 11 a.m., at St. Philip Church, 2365 Turner Rd., Auburn, with a later interment.

For more details see http://www.albert-burpee.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Macular Degeneration Research or Colby College.