SEDGWICK – Edith Parker Paine, 89, passed away peacefully Feb. 9, 2005, with her husband of 57 years by her side. She was born Dec. 16, 1915, in Portsmouth, N.H., the daughter of Albert Currier and Effie (Sargent) Parker. She was predeceased by a brother and a sister. Edith graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., in 1938, receiving a BA in Economics. She also attended a business secretarial school in Boston for a year. She and several Smith graduated operated a restaurant where she served as the business manager and hostess. Upon formation of the WAVES branch of the U.S. Navy during World War II, Edith enlisted to serve her country. She became a communications officer in Washington, D.C., attaining the rank of lieutenant. Years later she would entertain her children with fun songs and stories of life as a Navy Wave. After the war, she moved to Ithaca, N.Y., to begin a masters program in Hotel Administration at Cornell University. It was there she met her husband, who was attending Cornell Engineering School. They were married Aug. 15, 1947, in Ithaca. In 1955, they moved to Endicott, N.Y., where her husband worked for IBM until his retirement. Edith was a devoted wife and mother of three children. Her skills in the kitchen were exceptional and her talent in hosting large family gatherings was a real treat. She was an active member of the Christian Science Church in Binghamton, N.Y., where she served for a number of years as treasurer. In 1969 Edith, her husband and two of their children relocated to Stuttgart, Germany, for 18 months on assignment for IBM. It was a fabulous experience for the family with lots of trips throughout the Continent during their stay. Upon retirement in 1978, the couple moved to the Currier House in Sedgwick, a home that has been in Edith’s family since 1827. Restoring and renovating the old farmstead became a true passion that she and her husband spent countless hours on in their early years of retirement. Edith was active in the Christian Science Society of Sargentville, where she served as reader and clerk of the church. Edith had a humorous dry wit that would always make one chuckle. She will be sadly missed by her family and especially by her three grandsons who spent many summer days enjoying the homestead with their grandparents. Edith is survived by her husband, Robert Paine, of Sedgwick; three children, Stephen Paine and his wife, Carol, of Endicott, N.Y., Roberta Paine of West Swanzey, N.H. and Donald Paine and his wife, Althea, of Blue Hill; three grandsons, Andrew and his wife, Tanya, Christopher and Jeremy. A spring graveside service is planned at the Sedgwick Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Christian Science Society, Sargentville, P.O. Box 202, Sedgwick, ME 04676 or to the Brooklin-Sedgwick Historical Society. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, Blue Hill.
EDITH PARKER PAINE
