Rochester New Hampshire-it is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of her mother, Dolores M Richards, 80, of Rochester New Hampshire, after a brief illness.

Dolores was born in Littleton, New Hampshire on January 19, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Frank H. Sharman and Emma A. (Bolduc) Sharman of Portsmouth New Hampshire.

She was an energetic, exciting and talented woman who was always ahead of her time. Being the first licensed woman real estate agent in the State of Maine, she enjoyed her passion for real estate to the very end of her life.

During her lifetime, she and her husband, Howard, developed their business, Richards Enterprises Inc. They worked as a team designing, building and selling more than 200 homes and apartment buildings in the Seacoast area. Later their love for fine dining lead to a successful career as the owners and operators of the Ships Quarterdeck Restaurant in Kittery Maine.

After retirement, the couple moved into the Florida Panhandle and open an antique business. Together, they enjoy traveling and hunting out fleamarket until his failing health brought them home to Portsmouth to be closer to family, where she returned to her Real Estate career. She was currently affiliated with the Keller Williams Coastal Realty in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.and a member of the Strafford County Board of realtors.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 52 Years, Howard F Richards. Also, her brothers Frank H Sharman, Bradley D Sharman, Sister Joyce a Spicer, her son Daniel F Richards, and grandson Richard a Gillespie.

She is survived by two Sisters, Barbara J Sharman of Colorado and Nancy M Perez of Georgia, three daughters and husbands, Cynthia L and Alan H Gillespie of Rochester New Hampshire,Dyana F and Ricky W Ledger of South Berwick, ME, and Rebecca G and G. Scott Qualls of Epping New Hampshire, two sons and their wives Dennis F and Aimee J. Richards of Rollinsford, New Hampshire and Christopher L Richards and Donna Messier of Fort Walton Beach Florida, 15 grandchildren Eric Richards and his wife Nicole, Daniel Richards, Jennifer Nightingale and husband Larry, Kimberly Richards, Jessie and Travis Richards, Sarah Ledger, Jayna and Austin Ledger, Chelsea Qualls, Juliette Richards, and Jason Richards. Six great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was very proud of all her children and grandchildren was the biggest cheerleader and mentor and all of their achievements. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched. May she rest in peace and always look over and protect the ones she held so dear to her heart

Friends may visit with her family from 2 to 5 PM in the JS Pelkey Funeral Home 125 Old Post Rd., Kittery, ME 03904 on Sunday July 31,2016. Her burial will be private. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. Care for the Richards family has been entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home.