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Sr Frances Ann Carr

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Sr Frances Ann Carr

Birth
Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine, USA
Death
2 Jan 2017 (aged 89)
Cumberland County, Maine, USA
Burial
New Gloucester, Cumberland County, Maine, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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“As a Shaker who, through difficult and good times, endeavored to live true to the vows that I made to uphold Shakerism, to pray for its continued existence.”

-Sister Frances Carr, in response to an interviewer who asked how she hoped to be remembered.


NEW GLOUCESTER, MAINE

Sister Frances Carr, one of the last three practicing Shakers, died Monday [January 2, 2017] in Maine, according to an announcement posted on the Sabbathday Lake Shakers Village website.

She was 89.

"It is our sad duty to relate that our dear Sister Frances passed away at 1:35 p.m. today after a brief battle with cancer," the Shakers' statement said.

"The end came swiftly and with dignity surrounded by the community and her nieces. We ask your prayers for her soul," the statement continued.

The Shakers, formally named the United Society of Believeres in Christ's Second Appearing, were once headquartered in the Colonie, NY near Albany.

The Sabbath Lake Shaker Village is the last Shaker community. Established in 1783, it is located in New Gloucester, Maine.

The Shakers are a Christian religious group founded in 18th century in England by Mother Ann Lee. They practice a celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, and their model of equality of the sexes, which they institutionalized in their society in the 1780s, the group's website explains.

They are also known for their simple living, architecture, and furniture.

The surviving Shakers are Sister June Carpenter and Brother Arnold Hadd.

In her memoir, Growing Up Shaker, Sister Frances Carr provided a glimpse into life in the Sabbathday Lake community in New Gloucester.

From the time of the Civil War right on through the 1960s orphans, or children whose parents could not afford to care for them, were brought to Shaker communities instead of to orphanages. Sister Carr arrived at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community in the 1930’s when she was ten years old, along with her younger sister Ruth. Carr’s mother had already left three older children with the Shakers, and they appear to have had very little contact with the mother after that.

Carr described with loving detail the women who mentored her, in particular Eldress Prudence and Sister Mildred Barker. The Shakers had high expectations for the children who lived in the community. They were expected to do their share of the work, attend school and practice the Shaker faith. By her own account Carr was a slightly rebellious youth who grew to love the Shaker way of life. She was the only one of her siblings who chose to sign a covenant and become a full fledged Shaker as an adult.

The visiting hours for Carr will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Shaker Village in the brick Dwelling House in New Gloucester. Funeral services will be held in the Dwelling House Chapel at 1 p.m. Saturday,

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Lewiston, Maine.

--Extracted from information in the Albany NY Times Union;the Sabbathday Lake Shakers Village website; Growing Up Shaker, Sister Frances Carr; Interview with Sister Frances Carr, Stephanie Glatt; Carr, Sister Frances in Maine, an Encyclopedia


Sister Frances A. Carr
1927 - 2017
NEW GLOUCESTER - Sister Evangeline Annie Carr, better known as Frances Ann Carr, passed into eternity Jan. 2, 2017, at her home (The Shaker Community), surrounded by her community and loved ones, following a very brief battle with cancer.
Sister was born in Lewiston, March 13, 1927, the sixth of seven children born to Herbert and Margaret (Rourke) Carr.
Following the loss of her father, her mother placed Frances and her little sister Ruth with the Shakers on Aug. 26, 1937.
She attended Shaker School, where she graduated, and was taught all the arts and crafts the Sisters were employed in, but these did not really interest her. Sister's special talents and love was always the kitchen. She became head cook when she was 21 and served in that capacity for over 50 years.
She officially joined the Church on May 11, 1948. Over the years, Sister assumed many duties and offices. She served as a caretaker for several young girls and always retained a love for children. She was appointed a Trustee in 1988 and Eldress in 1990. She served in both capacities until the time of her death.
Sister was a founding member and driving force behind the Friends of the Shakers. She also was a founding member of The United Society of Shakers, Inc., which incorporated our museum and library, and served as its president until the time of her death.
Over the years, Sister Frances authored many articles and several books on the Shaker experience. She also lectured all over the country. She had a fine singing voice and was the driving force for a collaboration of the Community with the Boston Camerata, which produced two recordings and many public performances.
She was the public face of Shakerism for decades, serving as our goodwill ambassador. Sister was interviewed by countless television and radio stations and was a part of many documentaries made about the Shakers. She had a natural and welcoming spirit that drew many people to her.
She had a deep interest in the welfare of children and the disadvantaged of all ages. She never turned anyone away who was in need. She always strived to live by the words of the Christ, "In as much as ye have done it to the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."
Her passing leaves a large hole in our life and our hearts, but also draws us closer to God, knowing that she is with Him.
She was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her Community members, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was particularly close to her nieces, Linda (Carr) Harmon, Wendy (Carr) Furlong and Frances (Yeaton) Riley, whom she was proud to have helped raise.
The Community wishes to thank all those who helped our Sister in her last illness, especially Linda Harmon and the staff of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.
Visiting hours will be Friday, Jan. 6, from 2-4 p.m and 6-8 p.m. The funeral will take place on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. All services will be held in the Brick Dwelling House. Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Rd., Gray.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to
Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice
15 Strawberry Avenue
Lewiston, ME 04240

- Published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Jan. 4, 2017


“As a Shaker who, through difficult and good times, endeavored to live true to the vows that I made to uphold Shakerism, to pray for its continued existence.”

-Sister Frances Carr, in response to an interviewer who asked how she hoped to be remembered.


NEW GLOUCESTER, MAINE

Sister Frances Carr, one of the last three practicing Shakers, died Monday [January 2, 2017] in Maine, according to an announcement posted on the Sabbathday Lake Shakers Village website.

She was 89.

"It is our sad duty to relate that our dear Sister Frances passed away at 1:35 p.m. today after a brief battle with cancer," the Shakers' statement said.

"The end came swiftly and with dignity surrounded by the community and her nieces. We ask your prayers for her soul," the statement continued.

The Shakers, formally named the United Society of Believeres in Christ's Second Appearing, were once headquartered in the Colonie, NY near Albany.

The Sabbath Lake Shaker Village is the last Shaker community. Established in 1783, it is located in New Gloucester, Maine.

The Shakers are a Christian religious group founded in 18th century in England by Mother Ann Lee. They practice a celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, and their model of equality of the sexes, which they institutionalized in their society in the 1780s, the group's website explains.

They are also known for their simple living, architecture, and furniture.

The surviving Shakers are Sister June Carpenter and Brother Arnold Hadd.

In her memoir, Growing Up Shaker, Sister Frances Carr provided a glimpse into life in the Sabbathday Lake community in New Gloucester.

From the time of the Civil War right on through the 1960s orphans, or children whose parents could not afford to care for them, were brought to Shaker communities instead of to orphanages. Sister Carr arrived at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community in the 1930’s when she was ten years old, along with her younger sister Ruth. Carr’s mother had already left three older children with the Shakers, and they appear to have had very little contact with the mother after that.

Carr described with loving detail the women who mentored her, in particular Eldress Prudence and Sister Mildred Barker. The Shakers had high expectations for the children who lived in the community. They were expected to do their share of the work, attend school and practice the Shaker faith. By her own account Carr was a slightly rebellious youth who grew to love the Shaker way of life. She was the only one of her siblings who chose to sign a covenant and become a full fledged Shaker as an adult.

The visiting hours for Carr will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Shaker Village in the brick Dwelling House in New Gloucester. Funeral services will be held in the Dwelling House Chapel at 1 p.m. Saturday,

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Lewiston, Maine.

--Extracted from information in the Albany NY Times Union;the Sabbathday Lake Shakers Village website; Growing Up Shaker, Sister Frances Carr; Interview with Sister Frances Carr, Stephanie Glatt; Carr, Sister Frances in Maine, an Encyclopedia


Sister Frances A. Carr
1927 - 2017
NEW GLOUCESTER - Sister Evangeline Annie Carr, better known as Frances Ann Carr, passed into eternity Jan. 2, 2017, at her home (The Shaker Community), surrounded by her community and loved ones, following a very brief battle with cancer.
Sister was born in Lewiston, March 13, 1927, the sixth of seven children born to Herbert and Margaret (Rourke) Carr.
Following the loss of her father, her mother placed Frances and her little sister Ruth with the Shakers on Aug. 26, 1937.
She attended Shaker School, where she graduated, and was taught all the arts and crafts the Sisters were employed in, but these did not really interest her. Sister's special talents and love was always the kitchen. She became head cook when she was 21 and served in that capacity for over 50 years.
She officially joined the Church on May 11, 1948. Over the years, Sister assumed many duties and offices. She served as a caretaker for several young girls and always retained a love for children. She was appointed a Trustee in 1988 and Eldress in 1990. She served in both capacities until the time of her death.
Sister was a founding member and driving force behind the Friends of the Shakers. She also was a founding member of The United Society of Shakers, Inc., which incorporated our museum and library, and served as its president until the time of her death.
Over the years, Sister Frances authored many articles and several books on the Shaker experience. She also lectured all over the country. She had a fine singing voice and was the driving force for a collaboration of the Community with the Boston Camerata, which produced two recordings and many public performances.
She was the public face of Shakerism for decades, serving as our goodwill ambassador. Sister was interviewed by countless television and radio stations and was a part of many documentaries made about the Shakers. She had a natural and welcoming spirit that drew many people to her.
She had a deep interest in the welfare of children and the disadvantaged of all ages. She never turned anyone away who was in need. She always strived to live by the words of the Christ, "In as much as ye have done it to the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."
Her passing leaves a large hole in our life and our hearts, but also draws us closer to God, knowing that she is with Him.
She was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her Community members, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was particularly close to her nieces, Linda (Carr) Harmon, Wendy (Carr) Furlong and Frances (Yeaton) Riley, whom she was proud to have helped raise.
The Community wishes to thank all those who helped our Sister in her last illness, especially Linda Harmon and the staff of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.
Visiting hours will be Friday, Jan. 6, from 2-4 p.m and 6-8 p.m. The funeral will take place on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. All services will be held in the Brick Dwelling House. Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Rd., Gray.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to
Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice
15 Strawberry Avenue
Lewiston, ME 04240

- Published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Jan. 4, 2017



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