RIPLEY – Lois Woodcock of Ripley, a beloved sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and advocate for at-risk children of Maine, died in the early morning hours of May 22, 2024, surrounded by family.

Lois was born during a snowstorm in Hartland in November 1938. She was the oldest daughter of Dr. John M. Woodcock and Laura Reid Woodcock, who were raised on Depression-era family farms in Ripley and Milton, Ontario, respectively. Her upbringing instilled within her a deep commitment to family and community. In adulthood, these values were constantly on display, whether through her extensive genealogical research and caretaking of the family farmhouse or her tireless work in the community through volunteer work with numerous organizations. Her most visible volunteer work within the community was visiting door-to-door to sell calendars as a fundraiser for the Ripley Historical Society. Neighbors were enthusiastic to part with their money, both to support the small organization and to have the pleasure of time with Lois.

In her youth, Lois also discovered deep purpose in advocacy for children who needed the intervention of a caring adult and would demonstrate enormous capacity to be that adult during a career that spanned five decades as a social worker for the Maine Department of Human Services. Her career began in the Bangor office in 1961 following graduation from the University of Maine. Initially, she was involved in child protective services, foster care, adoption, and research and would eventually specialize in supporting adolescents living in therapeutic foster homes until her retirement in 2008. While she was named the Caseworker of the Year for New England and the Maritime provinces in 1993 by the Child Welfare League of America and honored by Governor John Baldacci following 45 years of service to the State of Maine, the most valued result of her work was the positive impact she had on the lives of children who most needed it.

Those fortunate to spend time with Lois are readily aware of how much impact she had on Maine’s foster children, as she carried that same care to all her interactions. She had a unique gift for quickly making people comfortable in her presence. It was ever apparent that the person she was with was the most important person for her in that moment. The gleam in her eyes and the space she made for others to share their stories resulted in a deep affection for Lois from nearly everyone she met.

Lois loved to explore. From 1994 to 2016, she embarked on annual bicycling trips in Europe through Elderhostel. These trips would take her through numerous countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. She built ongoing friendships with a cohort of travelers from across the U.S. while on these trips. While she adored many of the places she would visit overseas, she considered Mount Katahdin to be one of the most beautiful places she visited.

Ever an advocate of children, Lois would knit enormous Christmas stockings that would be filled year after year and knit hats and mittens to keep local children warm through the winter. In addition, she was an avid quilter and doll maker.

Lois is survived by her sister, Jane Woodruff of Pittsfield; her nieces, Dana Woodruff of Plainfield, Vt. and Holly Zadra of Pittsfield, her nephews, Vaughan Woodruff of Pittsfield, Scott Woodruff of Camden, and Daniel Woodruff of Camden; and numerous grand nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved cousins, Jim and Julie Peakes of St. Albans, and their extended family; and her favorite friend in the world, her kitty cat Lucy Lu.

A celebration of Lois’s life is being planned for this summer.

To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pittsfield.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made to:

Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine, Inc.

304 Hancock St. Suite 2A

Bangor, ME 04401

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