RICHMOND -- Lydia Vega Sawczyc, 88, a longtime resident of Richmond, died on Dec. 5, 2011, after a short illness. Lydia was born June 17, 1923, and grew up in the city of Vigo, Spain. As a young woman, she moved to Venezuela, where she met her "American family," Charles and Phoebe Reeves and their parents, Polly and Bruce. With them, Lydia came to the United States in 1966, where she first lived in Washington, D.C., and then moved to Richmond, where she met and married her husband, Ivan Sawczyc.

Lydia and Ivan soon became American citizens. They were extraordinary and creative farmers for many years. They combined Lydia's Spanish farming and cooking skills with Ivan's Russian traditions. They raised chickens, pigs, sheep and smoked their own hams. They grew many crops, from potatoes and garlic to wheat and barley. They played in a Balalika orchestra, were enthusiastic carpenters, attended English classes at the high school and attended the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches in Richmond.

Before and after the death of her husband 15 years ago, Lydia continued to increase her wide circle of friends as she worked tirelessly on a number of projects in Richmond, such as the establishment of the Richmond Health Center and developing resources for senior citizens. She was interested in politics and was a devoted Democratic voter. She regularly worked at the polls in Richmond. She was widely known for her wonderful cooking, which often included traditional Spanish dishes such as tortilla, empanada, paella and pan de Pascua. Lydia cooked for suppers to raise funds and for meals for Richmond's shut-in seniors. Over the years, she was good friends with many elderly residents of Richmond and helped them when they became disabled. Lydia often said that she especially loved old people and children. She regularly cooked delicious dinners on holidays and other occasions for her friends of all ages.

She kept in close touch with her family in Spain and visited Vigo often. Her cousin, Delores Villar Vega of Vigo, Spain, was staying with her when she had her final illness.

Lydia is survived by her large Spanish family and her loving friends here in Maine, many of whom had taken turns keeping a 24-hour watch by her hospital bedside during her last illness.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Kincer Funeral Home in Richmond. There will be a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Richmond, with burial to follow. There will be a reception after the burial at Lydia's home on Langdon Road in Richmond. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, at Kincer Funeral Home in Richmond.