Charlotte L. Bickford

WEBSTER/CUMBERLAND FORESIDE, ME – Charlotte L. (Lilly) Bickford, 85, of Thompson Road, passed away following a brief illness on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at UMass Memorial Health - Harrington Hospital - Webster Campus. She is survived by her brother, William Lilly of Lorana, Texas, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, William L. Bickford; two brothers, Bruce A. Lilly and Martin Lilly; and two sisters, Myrtle Olson and Virginia Mae Cioppa.

Ms. Bickford was born in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Elmer and Mae (Martin) Lilly, and graduated from Allentown High School, Muhlenberg College, and Andover College, earning both Associate's and Bachelor's degrees. She lived in Cumberland Foreside, Maine, for most of her life and moved to Webster in 2023.

Charlotte was a lifelong lab technician and previously worked at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology in Shrewsbury, MA, and Maine Medical Center before retiring. She spent two decades in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, helping her sister to raise her three children. She was a member and flutist in her community choir in Maine. She was an independent woman who enjoyed reading and had an extensive collection of owl-related items, as well as anything to do with lighthouses.

Charlotte’s family would like to thank the staff at Christopher Heights for their wonderful care over the past three years, and especially thank her private aides, Margaret Mutahi, Magdalene Mbogori, Emma Maina, Teresa Berry, and Margaret Nganju, for their dedication to Charlotte during the past year.

A burial will be held privately at the family’s convenience.

In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial contributions to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a nonprofit of your choice.

Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.