Emma Louise Deering

A graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Emma earned her de-gree at Gray’s Business College before meeting the dashing Robert H. Deering in 1933 at a dance. On June 3rd of the same year, they were married. Blessed with Priscilla, their daughter, Emma and Robert shared a wonderful 62 years together in Maine until his death in 1995.

A compassionate spirit with a generous heart, Emma held active membership in several philanthropic organizations. Initiated into the Anchor Rebekah Lodge in 1937, Emma served as Past Noble Grand 1963-64 and as District Deputy President 1968-69, receiv-ing numerous awards throughout her membership tenure. After decades of dedicated service with the Samaritans Association of Portland, she was awarded honorary lifetime membership status. Emma was a faithful member of the Central Square Baptist Church and a life member of the Deering Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served as a Companion at the Eunice Frye Home.

Emma scored many blue ribbons at the Cumberland County Fair for her delicious canned fruits and vegetables. Her jellies were absolutely scrumptious and seemed to win year after year. A fabulous cook, it seemed only fitting that she would become store manager for the Cushman Baking Company.

A lively and witty conversationalist, Emma was as skilled at sign language as she was the spoken word. Throughout the 1970s she worked at the Baxter School for the Deaf as a Houseparent. With a smile always on her face, and hands moving at the speed of light, she endeared herself to the young children in her care. Many continued their friendship for years past school graduations.

Emma will be remembered with warm hearts and smiles by her loving family and friends, and recalled as a shining star by mem-bers of the various philanthropies and businesses with whom she served.

Besides her parents and husband, Emma was predeceased by her two grandsons Derek J. Simmons in 2005 and Robert G. Simmons in 2012, both of Portland, and her five brothers and six sisters.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Priscilla (Deering) Sim-mons and husband James of Falmouth, granddaughter, Janice (Simmons) White, husband David and their twin sons Graeme and Ethan of Groton, MA, great grandson Alexander Simmons of Portland, Joseph Heatley, SN3, USN of Westbrook and San Die-go whom she loved as a great grandson, devoted nieces Sherry Cofran of Philadelphia, PA, Cynthia (Cofran) Smith of Gorham, ME, and Jill (Cofran) Sones of Willis, TX and many more loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association via mail to PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or directly online at https://donatenow.heart.org/.

Visiting hours will be held Friday 10 - 11 a.m. with funeral services immediately following at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. Burial will be private. Please visit www.jonesrichhutchins for further information and to Emma’s online guestbook.