Edith C. Sears, 93, a resident at Schooner Cove, Damariscotta, died at home on May 11 with her husband, Herb at her side. She was born on April 28, 1917 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of David C. and Helen V. Babcock.
Edith was married to Bill Murray for 34 years, and the family lived in Portland, Ore. She obtained a Public Accountant license in Oregon, and started Murray Business Service, which she owned for 30 years, doing accounting, bookkeeping, and taxes. She was president of Broadmoor Women’s Club in 1965. After being a widow for eight years, she traveled from Portland, Ore. to Wakefield, Mass. for her 50th high school reunion in September 1985. There she met Herbert Sears. They fell in love and carried on a long distance romance traveling coast to coast until they were married a year later. They lived in Hartford, Conn. and Clark’s Cove, and traveled for years including Hawaii and Florida for winters. They finally settled in Damariscotta at Schooner Cove 10 years ago.
Edith was an accomplished artist, mostly painting in oil and watercolor. She enjoyed gardening, golf, camping, and water skiing (which she did until she was 70). Her favorite book was Beyond Ourselves by Catherine Marshall. She said, “It changed my life”. She loved the Lord and loved to study the Bible, pray, sing praises, and worship. She was a member of the Union Congregational Church of South Bristol.
Although Edith had dementia the last years of her life, she was always happy, loving, had a wonderful smile, and was a joy to be with.
She was preceded in death by her brother, David Babcock; sister, Phyllis Schicker; husband, Ward (Bill) Murray; grandson, Brett Murray; and sons-in-law, Alan Frisch and Masaru Nakamura.
She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Herbert Sears; son, Dr. David (Tawney) Murray of Lakeland, Fla.; daughters, Helen Frisch of Sacramento, Cal., Robin Murray of Oceanside, Cal. and Donna Nichols of Portland, Ore.; along with eight grandchildren, David Frisch, Thomas Frisch, Michael Frisch, Stephanie Castanares, Lauren Murray, Arthur Shaw, Nathan Nichols and Christopher Nichols; 14 great-grandchildren, Connor Frisch, Nicole Frisch, Aiden Frisch, Owen Frisch, Ella Frisch, Gabriella Frisch, Jacob Frisch, Gemma Frisch, Alex Castanares, Cameron Castanares, Madeline Castanares, Angellica Shaw, Jacob Shaw, Jameson Shaw; extended family, step-son, Herbert (Ann) Sears; step-daughter, Martha (Fred) Barclay; step-grandchildren, Frederick Barclay, Sarah (Jason) Currier, Hannah Sears, Mason Sears, Emily Sears; and step-great-grandchildren, Henry Currier, Lydia Currier.
Celebration of life service 2 p.m., Sun., May 23 at Faith Baptist Church, 144 Mills Rd., Newcastle. Refreshments provided. Interment will be at Mayflower Cemetery, Duxbury, Mass. Memorials are not necessary. Instead, please pray for Herb Sears, Edith’s husband.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
