M. Elizabeth Ricker

M. Elizabeth (Miller) Ricker, 96, died Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Hathorne Hill in Danvers following a period of declining health. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Elizabeth (Bell) Miller. She was raised and educated in Newburyport and was a graduate of Newburyport High School. She served honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard SPARS during World War II. A longtime Rowley resident, she worked as the bookkeeper and secretary for Ricker Trucking for many years and after moving to New Hampshire, continued to work in bookkeeping at several locations until her retirement. A past president of the Newburyport Musical Club, Betty was an accomplished violinist who played in numerous Newburyport area churches. She was a member of the Rowley Congregational Church, where she was a member of the choir and served as church clerk. She leaves two daughters, Nancy E. Reed and her husband Thomas of Rowley and Debra A. Ricker of Danvers, three grandchildren, William Cashman, Barbara Surpitski, and Roy Ricker, Jr., and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Roy A, Ricker, Sr. and Scott A. Ricker, and her former husband, Howard A. Ricker, Jr. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 11AM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Burial will be in Main Street Cemetery, Rowley. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10AM-10:45AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s name may be made to the Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water St., Newburyport, MA 01950. For directions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.