ISLESBORO – Marjorie “Midge” V. Welldon died Feb. 12, 2008, at the age of 87. A resident of Islesboro from the time she and her husband, Burke Welldon, retired in 1981, Midge had roots on the island dating back to her grandfather, Capt. Samuel Veazie. During the summers of her youth and young adulthood, Midge summered on Islesboro with her parents. She was active in island life throughout her years, teaching dancing to island children as a young woman and bridge to adults after she retired. For several summers she operated her home, “Harbor Lights,” as a guesthouse, following the tradition of her mother, Birdie Alice Veazie. A life member of the Maine Old Cemeteries Association, Midge chaired Islesboro Cemetery Committee and worked for many years on the preservation of the island’s historic graveyards and mon-uments. It is part of Islesboro lore how following their wedding at Free Will Baptist Church, Midge and Burke set out on their honeymoon on the old mailboat, Hippocampus, while would-be hazers waited futilely at the ferry dock. At the time of her death, Midge and Burke had been married 66 years. Midge graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts degree; she received her Master of Science degree in education from the University of Delaware in 1967. She was an accomplished dancer, singer and especially, bridge player. During World War II, Midge worked for the Dupont Co., Wilmington, Del., and later, she worked for 17 years as a professional educator in the Delaware school system during the controversial period of forced bussing for integration. She brought her experience and passion for education to Islesboro School Committee, serving as a member from 1981 to 1983, and served as chair from 1983 to 1988. Midge is survived by her husband, P. Burke Welldon of Islesboro; her brother, Boardman Veazie and her sister-in-law, Lydia Veazie, of Chicago; her son, Douglas B. Welldon and her daughter-in-law, Normajean Welldon, of Grantham, N.H.; her daughter, Paula J. Welldon and her daughter-in-law, Stephanie Maginn of Hockessin, Del.; and her grandson, Michael M. Welldon of Portland. A spring memorial service will be announced at Free Will Baptist Church, Islesboro. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Society for Preservation of Free Will Baptist Church, P.O. Box 183, Islesboro, ME 04848-0183. Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.
MARJORIE VEAZIE WELLDON
