VEAZIE and BAR ISLAND/ MILBRIDGE – Margaret Carpenter Manter, 88, died Feb. 7, 2012, in Brunswick. She was born Feb. 20, 1923, in Providence, R.I., daughter of the late George W. Carpenter, D.M.D., and Lizetta Higson Carpenter of East Providence, R.I., and Touisset, Mass.
Margaret graduated from Providence Classical Institute and Crouse College of Fine Arts at the University of Syracuse with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in design. She also attended Rhode Island School of Design. She married Wilbur Berry Manter, M.D., in 1946, leaving New York City for Veazie, where she raised five children and countless pets, including ducks, a pig, several horses and many dogs. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her husband, Will, passed away in 1999. Margaret was an accomplished mixed-media artist, who exhibited her work regionally and nationally, including college institutions, museums and galleries. Her last one-person exhibition was at Court House Gallery, Ellsworth, in 2007. A catalogue was produced with an essay written by Carl Little who said “For Margaret Manter, making art is like breathing; a natural part of her day-to-day living. It sustains her, like air, and it has done so for more than half a century … ” Margaret’s unique vision and her love of the natural world were inspiration for her art, which was always remarkably surprising and stunningly beautiful. Margaret was a member of the National Women in the Arts Association, Union of Maine Artists and International Society of Experimental Artists, and was recognized by the Society for Experimental Artists, which gave her recognition for her valuable contribution to the arts. Margaret remained active into her 80s, kayaking, hiking and searching for material to inspire her art. Driftwood, pink granite, birds and plant life were all a big part of her visual world. She skied at Sugarloaf for many years and continued cross-country skiing into her later years. Margaret was always eager to be Downeast along the coast, where she kept a studio for many years. Margaret volunteered tirelessly at many organizations including as a teacher at the YMCA. She was a member of All Souls Church, Bangor Junior League, Penobscot Medical Auxiliary, Bangor Junior League, Shakespeare Club and Maine Medical Auxiliary, where she was a past president. She also was a contributor to Patron of the Arts at the University of Maine, Orono, where she enjoyed many art exhibitions and concerts throughout the years.
She is survived by her five children, John S. Manter of Veazie, George W. Manter, D.M.D., and his wife, Susan, of Vassalboro, Nancy M. Manter and her husband, Eduardo Bohorquez, of Brooklyn, N.Y., M. Berry Manter of Portland, and Robert R. Manter of Brunswick. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Christopher Bohorquez, Abi Manter, Ben Manter, Johnny Bohorquez, Sarah Manter and Lydia Manter. A grandson, G.W. Manter Jr., predeceased her.
A private family memorial will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond.