Jessica M. Eldridge

She was born March 23, 1974 in Skowhegan, Maine, the only child of Sarah Jane (Brough) Luce and Edmond L. Violette.

Jessica lived in Skowhegan and soon moved to the Lewiston/Auburn area where she began school at Washburn Elementary School. She moved to Fairfield where she attended school through her freshman year at Lawrence High School. After a year in Vermont, she then settled in Rockland with her mother for several years that included graduating from Rockland High School in the class of 1992. She returned to the central Maine area in 1998 where she resided in Winslow and Waterville until the tragic accident that claimed her life.

She touched the hearts of many lives as she raised her own children and cared for many others in her home. Jessica became one of Maine’s first certified Home Start Childcare providers. She graduated in 2008 at KVCC in Fairfield with a degree in Special Education. Her career became advocating the wellbeing of children’s needs as a case manager for Child Development Services – Project Peds of Waterville.

Jessica loved spending time with her family, loved going to the beach; she enjoyed the outdoors, and gardening. Jessica grew up dancing, beginning with her first recital at age 4. In 2000 she was in a recital with 4 generations of her family. When she was not performing she was her family’s biggest fan in all extra-curricular activities.

She is survived by her mother; Sarah Jane Luce and her husband Richard of Vassalboro, her father; Edmond L. Violette of Benton, her daughters whom she was proud and devoted to: Kirsten Mae Violette of Winslow, Monique Alana Sutherland of Winslow and Destiny Faith Eldridge of Waterville, her husband Douglas Eldridge of Waterville, her former husband and friend Alan Sutherland and his companion Jessica Walsh of Winslow, her paternal grandmother Jean A. Pooler and her husband David of Clinton, several aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Donald L. and Virginia L. (Ladd) Brough, paternal grandfather Laurence R. Violette, two special great grandmothers; Velma M.F. Ladd and Lillian Brough.

Viewing hours will be held on Monday January 24, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday January 25, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 113 Dr. Mann Road, Skowhegan, Maine with Pastor Ned Crockett officiating. A gathering will follow the service at the church. Burial will be held in the spring at Southside Cemetery in Skowhegan, Maine.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an account set up for her three children’s future educational needs in honor of her strong passion for continuing education. Donations may be mailed to Bangor Savings Bank, 78 China Road, Winslow, Maine 04901 or to Kennebec Savings Bank, 226 Main Street, Waterville, Maine 04901 in the name of Sarah Jane Luce.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

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