NEWPORT and TOPSHAM – Margaret Soper Witham, 89, died Nov. 2, 2011, at Cadigan Lodge, The Highlands, Topsham, after a brief illness. She was born May 30, 1922, in Newport, daughter of Lewman Browing and Carrie (Norton) Soper.
Margaret “Peg” attended Newport schools and graduated from Newport High School, class of 1939 and graduated in 1943 from Bates College. Margaret was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II serving in the WAVES. In 1944, she married her high school sweetheart, Paul Varney Witham Jr. They were married for 52 years until his death in 1996. Peg worked in the family business, Soper’s Clothing and Footwear, Main Street, Newport, for several years. Peg spent 18 years in education, first as an English teacher and then after receiving her master’s degree in guidance from the University of Maine, Orono, she continued her career as dean of women at Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield. She was a longtime member of Peoples United Methodist Church, Newport, where she served on several committees, including church treasurer for many years. She was a member of Nokomis Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Newport; Sebasticook Garden Club; and Friends of the Newport Library. She was also an active volunteer at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Pittsfield.
Peg was predeceased by her husband in 1996. She is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Anne and James Jenkins of Owls Head, Pamela and Joseph Dahl of Bangor, and Susan and Terry Goddard of Freeport; seven grandchildren, Tracy J. Spizzuoco and her husband, Paul, James H. Jenkins and his wife, Kristina, Carrie D. Tibbles and her husband, Michael, Kimberly A. Wagenknecht and her husband, Richard, Joseph Daniel “Danny” Dahl, Adam P. Goddard, and Allison Goddard; and great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Sarah Spizzuoco, Amanda, Paige and Ward Jenkins, Joseph, Matthew and Benjamin Tibbles, Ryder and Bailey Wagenknecht.
A service of celebration of Peggy’s life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Peoples United Methodist Church, Main Street, Newport, with the Rev. Ellen Bridge officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Peoples United Methodist Church, Main Street, Newport. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, Newport. To sign an online guest book and leave written condolences, please visit
www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.