Doris Ritchie Franklin, 79, of Bingham, ME, died November 5, 2012, at the St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, OK, following a sudden illness. Mrs. Franklin was married for 51 years to Paul R. Franklin, who predeceased her in 2007.

Mrs. Franklin was born in Monmouth, Maine, on August 31, 1933, and was the fifth of eight children born to the late Charles and Fern Ritchie. She was a graduate of Bingham’s Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial High School, class of 1951, and furthered her education as a Music major at Boston University.

Doris was an accomplished person who enjoyed many pursuits. She was a talented seamstress who tailored numerous items for her daughters and granddaughters through the years. Doris also spent many hours creating outstanding needleworks which were admired and prized by lucky recipients. She was an avid reader, sharing a penchant for Stephen King novels with several family members.

Doris was known for her compassion, empathy, and sweet gestures, which drew other people to her. What brought her the most joy were her two daughters, her beloved grandchildren, and her many friends.

In recent years, she reconnected with a college friend and together they enjoyed travel, dinner dates,
and the symphony and opera with a circle of friends in Tulsa, OK.

Doris is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jerrianne and Nicholas Anastos of Bedford, NH, and Jo-Ellen Franklin-Briggs and Douglas Briggs of Hopedale, MA, four grandchildren, Nicholas and Amy Anastos and Lauren and Alexa Briggs, a sister, Barbara Hatfield of Auburn, ME, two brothers, Richard and Carroll Ritchie and Carroll’s companion, Linda, a close cousin, Eloyd Hooper of Falmouth-
Foreside, ME, sister-in-laws, Gloria Carpenter of Skowhegan, ME, and Jacqueline Winter of Naples, FL, a dear friend, Dick Ekdahl of Tulsa, OK, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 10, at 11 A.M. at the Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading, MA. Calling hours will be on Friday from 5 to 8 P.M. at the Doherty-Barile Funeral Home, 11 Linden St., Reading. Burial is private. For information and directions, please visit barile
funeral.com.