Vicki Falconer Obituary (1958 - 2011)

READFIELD -- Vicki Falconer passed away peacefully at the Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center in Dover, N.H., on Oct. 24. She was a resident of Thorp Shores Road in Readfield, and most recently, Dover, N.H. Prior to moving to Readfield in 2005, Vicki lived on Brigham Street in South Portland for 23 years. She battled multiple sclerosis for more than 24 years, but the past six months were particularly challenging because of various health issues brought on by the disease. Vicki was born in Waterville on May 8, 1958, the daughter of Hartley 'Buzz' Fernald and Patricia (Dutil) Fernald of Winslow. She was a 1976 graduate of Winslow High School and a 1977 graduate of the Maine School of Practical Nursing in Waterville. She worked as a licensed practical nurse at Seton Hospital in Waterville, St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, and the practice of Dr. Robert Pawle in Falmouth. She left nursing to raise her young children, and later worked at the F.W. Woolworth store in the Maine Mall. Once her children were in school, she worked as a lunch aide at Skillin Elementary School in South Portland. She was active in the Skillin PTA for many years and served as the organization's president for three years. She also logged thousands of hours as a volunteer at the school. Once the MS forced her into a wheelchair, Vicki became an outdoor adventure enthusiast. She skied at Sunday River with Maine Handicapped Skiing and participated in a wide range of outdoor activities with Northeast Passage, a therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports organization at the University of New Hampshire. These activities included waterskiing, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, hand cycling, kayaking, and sailing. Vicki received her open water scuba certification through the National Instructors Association for Divers with Disabilities (NIADD). On one of the dive trips she took with her husband in the Florida Keys, she even went parasailing. Her mother used to tell her, 'Don't tell me what you're going to do until you've already done it!' Everyone who knew Vicki admired her determination to rise above her physical disability. Often they would ask, 'How do you manage to stay so active and keep a positive attitude in spite of your health issues?' She used the metaphor of a card game to respond: 'You have to make the most of the hand that was dealt to you.' Vicki loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. She was quick to lend a helping hand on a project, attend softball games, dance recitals or school concerts, whip up a dessert for a bake sale, or whatever else her children needed. She'll be remembered for her beautiful smile, dry wit, big heart, loyalty to loved ones, and overall outlook on life. She was an inspiration to many. Vicki was the living embodiment of the phrase, 'Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass ... it's about learning to dance in the rain.' Vicki is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Eric Falconer, of Readfield, and Dover, N.H.; her son, Matthew Falconer, of South Portland; and daughters Erin Falconer of Winslow and Kaitlyn Falconer of Westbrook. In addition to her parents, she also is survived by her sister, Terry Lynn (Fernald) Ladd, brother-in-law Donald Ladd, and nephew Tyler Ladd, all of South Portland; her brother, Peter Fernald, sister-in-law Karen (O'Brien) Fernald, nephew Trevor Fernald and niece Taylor Fernald, all of Davidson, N.C.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Albert and Henrietta Dutil, of Winslow; and paternal grandparents, Evon and Mildred Fernald, of Benton. Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A celebration of life will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop St., Augusta. A reception will follow at the parish house at South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St., Augusta. Arrangements in New Hampshire are in the care of Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central St., Farmington, N.H. For online condolences, please visit www.peasleefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Vicki's honor to Northeast Passage, Hewitt Hall, 4 Library Way, Durham, NH 03824