Orford, NH- Angela Frances Ricker, 11, of Huckins Hill Road, died peacefully, in the home in which she was born, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, December 5, 2015. Angela was born on October 8, 2004, in Orford, to David Weldon and Melinda (Crouch) Ricker.  It was a warm October day and she arrived to the joy of her brother and sister, Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Joyce, midwives Laurie Foster and her assistant, and our dear friend Eva Behrens (now deceased).  She changed our lives in that moment and words cannot express our wonder and gratitude at that change.  Angela was soon diagnosed with Patau's Syndrome (Trisomy 13) and brought home to live out her life, however long or short, with her family.  Her extended family and friends from far and near came to meet her and be in her presence in those first precious few days and weeks of her life, which were expected to be short.  Angela had her own stubborn spirit of survival and life, however, and stayed for 11 years.  During those years she learned, she grew, she laughed and moved and reached for the light and for life. She taught those of us who knew her much about strength, weakness, determination, hardship, joy, loss, and love.  Some things she loved:  looking at the light--the dappled sunshine through the trees or the dancing flames of the fire--, music (especially hearing her siblings practice their violins or laugh and rough-house with her), mischief, hugs, tactile and noisy toys, and the sound of childrens' voices in the halls of Samuel Morey Elementary School or the pavilions of Pinewoods Camp.  She touched so many hearts over the years, of people all over, surprising and moving them with her smiles, hair-tugging hugs, her determination to keep trying, keep learning, keep living. As someone once said, "I guess she's just here to bring down love, then, huh?".  She brought down love in abundance, she taught doctors and parents alike to challenge assumptions, and she challenged her family to push their limits of patience, forbearance, open-heartedness, and resilience.  Her touch on this world was gentle but insistent, and will echo throughout so many lives and moments.  We are bereft to lose her and so blessed to have known her.

She is survived by her parents, David W. and Melinda Ricker of Orford; her siblings, Karina W. Ricker, Dylan H. Ricker, and Erin C. Ricker, all of Orford; her maternal grandparents, Wayne W. and Joyce B. Crouch of Amherst, MA; and her paternal grandparents, E. David and Nancy S. Ricker of Naperville, IL. Angela is also survived by her aunts and uncles: Jennifer Meizen and husband David of Carlsbad, CA and their children, Elizabeth and Michael; Gretchen Ricker Nerison and husband John of Elmhurst, IL and their children, Erik and Max; Douglas Ricker and wife Kathryn Legree Ricker of Woodstock, GA and their children, Anna, Jack and Ava; and Andrew Crouch and wife Catherine of Swarthmore, PA, and their children, Tim and Amy.

A time to remember and to celebrate Angela's life will be held on Tuesday, December 8, from 5-8 PM at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Lake Morey Road East, Fairlee, VT. A graveside service will be in the Orford Street Cemetery, Orford on Wednesday, December 9, at 3:15 followed by a funeral service at the Orford Congregational Church, Main Street, Orford, at 4PM with Father Mark Preece, officiating.

Angela's family would like to thank SOFT, the Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13, and related disorders, for the invaluable support and information they have provided to them over the years. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SOFT, 2982 South Union Street, Rochester, NY 14624, or online at www.trisomy.org