In Loving Memory of Rae Hartford
The Pittsfield community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 56-year-old Rae Hartford of Scarborough, who tragically died in a devastating single-vehicle crash on I-95 northbound early Monday morning, November 17, 2025. What began as a quiet morning along Maine’s busiest interstate became the site of profound sorrow — a moment that has left loved ones, first responders, and residents across the region struggling to come to terms with an unexpected and deeply painful loss.
A Tragic Morning on I-95
According to early reports, emergency crews responded to the northbound lanes of I-95 near Pittsfield after receiving calls about a serious crash involving a single vehicle. When state troopers and medical personnel arrived, they discovered that Rae Hartford’s vehicle had left the roadway and sustained catastrophic damage.
Despite the immediate and heroic efforts of first responders, Rae was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities have begun an in-depth investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Factors such as road conditions, potential medical emergencies, driver fatigue, and mechanical issues are being examined. While it may take time before answers are fully known, what is already clear is the profound impact this tragedy has had on the community and on those who knew and loved Rae.
A Community Grieving Together
News of Rae’s passing has rippled through Pittsfield, Scarborough, and surrounding communities. As friends and neighbors learned of the tragedy, messages of sympathy, disbelief, and heartbreak poured in.
Pittsfield residents — many of whom were affected by traffic delays and witnessed the heavy emergency response — have expressed deep condolences, recognizing the devastating loss that Rae’s family now faces.
Remembering Rae Hartford: A Life Rooted in Kindness
Though her life ended far too soon, Rae Hartford is being remembered as a woman whose warmth, compassion, and steady generosity touched countless lives.
A Devoted Family Member
Rae was known as a loving and supportive presence within her family — the kind of person who remembered every birthday, who showed up when others needed her, and who brought comfort simply through her calming voice and easy, heartfelt laughter. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt — and in each of those roles, she gave her whole heart.
A Caring Friend and Neighbor
Friends describe Rae as dependable, empathetic, and genuine. Whether she was offering a ride, lending an ear during hard times, or sharing a home-cooked meal, her kindness was constant and wholly sincere. She built friendships that were grounded in trust and mutual care, and those friendships now stand as a reflection of the beautiful impact she had on others.
A Woman of Strength and Grace
In her career and personal life, Rae demonstrated resilience, dedication, and compassion. She approached challenges with steady resolve and celebrated others’ successes as if they were her own. She carried herself with a sense of quiet grace — the type of grace that left a lasting impression on every life she touched.
The Weight of Sudden Loss
A sudden tragedy like this brings not only grief but shock — a sense of disbelief that someone so vibrant and cherished could be gone in an instant. For Rae’s loved ones, this loss is immeasurable. There were conversations left unfinished, plans yet to be made, and memories still waiting to be created.
Those who knew her best now face the difficult journey of moving forward without the comforting presence of a woman who brought light, stability, and love into their lives.
Community Support and Solidarity
In the days following the tragedy, friends, coworkers, and neighbors have come together to offer support to Rae’s family. Small gestures — meals delivered, calls made, candles lit, prayers offered, and memories shared — have become vital sources of comfort.
Local organizations and community groups in both Pittsfield and Scarborough have expressed condolences, acknowledging Rae’s passing as a heartbreaking loss not only for her family, but for the broader community as well.
A Life Remembered, A Legacy Carried Forward
Though her time on this earth ended too soon, Rae Hartford’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched. Her kindness, her compassion, her warmth, and her generosity will continue to guide and inspire all who knew her.
Her memory will be kept alive in:
- The stories shared at family gatherings
- The laughter she sparked among friends
- The lives she supported with her love
- The quiet acts of kindness she offered without hesitation
Rae’s impact is not defined by the tragic way she left this world, but by the beautiful way she lived in it.
In Loving Memory
As the Pittsfield community mourns, and as Scarborough grieves one of its own, one truth remains constant: Rae Hartford will never be forgotten.
May her loved ones find strength in one another, comfort in shared memories, and peace in knowing that her gentle spirit lives on in every heart she touched.
Rest in peace, Rae.
Gone too soon — but forever loved, forever remembered.
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