Bar Harbor

Ryleigh Patricia Bickford, 25, of Bar Harbor passed away peacefully on May 17, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of Carrie and David Emerson of Franklin and Troy Bickford and Cristin Anderson Bickford of Ellsworth. She is survived by her grandparents, Dan and Bren Norwood of Ellsworth, Lee and Bobby Gray of Bar Harbor and Elliott and Patricia Bickford of Ellsworth.

She has two very special brothers and their families, Chase Bickford and fiancée Nicole Higgins, their children Ryker and Maci from Ellsworth, and twin brother Taner Bickford and his wife, Savannah, from Fort Campbell, Ky. She also had three brothers by marriage, Silas Davies, Ashton Gardner and Joshua Emerson, two very special aunts, Jessica Bickford from Ellsworth and Christine Oliver from Windham, and we can’t forget his canine companion Sophia! She has many other extended family members and loving friends who will continue to keep her spirit alive through the memories and important lessons she taught to everyone she touched; how to love unconditionally, how to always go through life with a smile and always be kind.

Ryleigh shared some of her fondest memories with us before her passing. Most of them included spending time at the beach, either at the Cable Crossing in Manset or Lamoine Beach. The ocean was his happy place. When you hear the waves crashing, find a beautiful treasure on the shore, or smell the salty air, her hope is that it reminds you of her.

Ryleigh also had a special place in her heart for animals. Animals of all shapes and sizes. From riding a horse named Sunny Beans at the Wildwood Therapeutic Riding Center when she was little, to her dog Sophia, she cherished them all. Her love of animals showed her kind and loving soul.

Ryleigh fought a lifelong battle with numerous medical diagnoses, but she never let it dull her spirit. She had an infectious smile and she captured the hearts of everyone who knew her. She was courageous in her fight until the end. Ryleigh’s family would like to acknowledge how loving and supportive her care team at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center was during her final weeks. Ryleigh has made “friends for life” with a few in particular. We know she touched their hearts and left a mark on them forever. Their kindness and extra effort to ensure that Ryleigh could throw a party for her 25th birthday, a comforting prayer in times of need, or someone willing to sit down and hold her hand will always be cherished and appreciated. by his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Ryleigh’s memory to the Whitney Who, whose nonprofit aims to help people with terminal illnesses achieve goals from the to-do list. Discovering Whitney, her dreams and her mission deeply affected Ryleigh during her final weeks. Donations to the Make A Wish Foundation would also be lovingly appreciated. Make A Wish generously granted Ryleigh a wish in 2017, sending her on a wish trip to Hawaii. Thanks to this, she was able to create sweet memories with her family. Of course, they were at the beach.

Whitney Who: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_donations&[email protected]&item_name=Whitney%20Who?¤cy_code=USD.

Make a wish: https://secure2.wish.org.

At Ryleigh’s request, a celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m. at Lamoine Beach. All of her family, friends and members of the community whose lives she touched are invited to come together to share stories, share laughter and, of course, share food too!