VIVIAN D. LUNT

FRENCHBORO – Vivian Davis Lunt, 93, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at an Ellsworth nursing home. She was born April 17, 1915, in the village of Frenchboro on Long Island, the oldest daughter of Alexander P. Davis and Valeria M. Lunt. Vivian, a strong believer in education and community service, served as a major force and indefatigable presence in the island community for more than six decades. She married island fisherman, Sanford “Dick” L. Lunt, Nov. 21, 1936, in a small ceremony in Southwest Harbor, and the couple soon bought the small house that they would live in for their entire 63-year marriage. Vivian was a member of Frenchboro Congregational Church and served as its guiding force and advocate for decades. She helped start the Frenchboro Historical Society in the 1970s. She and her sister, Lillian, held court at the historical society museum and gift shop every summer for more than 20 years, greeting all visitors to the harbor’s shore with a smile, a story and a little help if needed. She helped her husband, Dick, start and run Lunt & Lunt Lobster Co. in 1951 and later was a partner and worked as a bookkeeper with her son, David, at the company through the 1990s. She also served her beloved island in uncountable other capacities during her life, serving as an unofficial observer and guardian and enjoying everything the island had to offer – walking the island trails and visiting its beaches daily, if possible. She helped start the annual Frenchboro Lobster Dinner, helped bring ferry service and electricity to the island, researched and wrote two histories of Frenchboro, and inspired a third. She also enjoyed painting, studying genealogy, reading, traveling, and playing rummy and cribbage with family and friends. Vivian was predeceased by her husband, Sanford, in October 1999; and six brothers and sisters, Vincent, Elmer, Lawrence, Ruby, Carolyn and Richard. She is survived by one son, David L. Lunt and his wife, Sandra, of Frenchboro; two sisters, Rosetta Seavey of Southwest Harbor and Lillian Lunt of Ellsworth; three grandchildren, David W. Lunt and his wife, Debbie, of Frenchboro, Daniel L. Lunt and his wife, Linda, of Bar Harbor, and Dean Lunt and his wife, Michelle, of Yarmouth; two foster children, Kevin Holland of Massachusetts and Anthony Brown of Virginia; and seven great-grandchildren, Travis, Zachary, Kristi, Nathaniel and Joseph Lunt, all of Frenchboro, and Emily and Eliza Lunt of Yarmouth. She is also survived by seven great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside memorial service will be held in the spring in Frenchboro. Contributions in Vivian’s memory may be made to Frenchboro Congregational Church, care of Kristi Lunt, 1889 Lunt Harbor, Frenchboro, ME 04635 or Frenchboro Historical Society, care of Donna Hasal, Schoolhouse Hill, Frenchboro, ME 04635.