Elaine Virginia Campbell Shuman passed away Feb. 4. She was born June 18, 1924 in Nashua, N.H. to Vernon and Mildred Campbell. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire and the Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing. It was in Boston during nursing school that she met her future husband, Bill Shuman.
Elaine and Bill raised four children in Milford, N.H. Creating a good life for the family was a priority – they skied, boated, traveled and had great times at their summer homes. Elaine was always available to help the kids with homework, science projects and a myriad of other undertakings. She tolerated hamsters, white mice, chameleons and tropical fish. She approved a family dog, never anticipating that it was she who would become Bitsy’s best friend.
Elaine was a consummate homemaker. The cookie jar was never empty, and there was usually a pie or a cake around as another option. Though her enthusiasm for meal preparation waned in later years, dinners were always home cooked and healthy. She was a talented seamstress and over the years created Halloween costumes, couture for the ladies of the family, slipcovers, boat cushions, throw pillows, burgees for the boat club and hundreds of potholders. She dabbled in stained glass and was always up for a new project. She wallpapered, painted, mowed the lawn and raked leaves. Elaine could always find work to be done.
Elaine and Bill moved to Damariscotta in 1979. She and Bill cruised the Maine coast each summer on a series of crafts, settling for many years with their favorite, the beloved Jezebel. Elaine especially cherished the friendships they made with fellow boaters and the times when their outings included others.
She liked nothing better than a killer game of Scrabble. She won more often than she lost, was quick and decisive in making her moves and always consoled the loser with “You just had bad letters.”
While understated on the surface, Elaine was one of the spunkiest, smartest and most loving people ever made. Never did she complain or speak negatively of anyone. She treasured her family and her friends. Her warm personality and indomitable sense of humor made everyone feel good to be around her.
Elaine was predeceased by her sister Norma.
She leaves her husband, Bill; children, Pat Shuman (Dave Edwards), Bill Shuman, Paul Shuman and Rob Shuman (Eunice Mommens); grandchildren, Caleb Page (Mariana) and Josh Page (Debbie Moore-Page); great-grandchildren, Anna, William and David Page and Nicholas and Lillian Elaine Page; sisters, Gloria Campbell, Verna Patti, Jennifer Johnson, Jessica Witham, and Deborah Decker; brother, Vernon Campbell; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at a later date.
You are invited to share you condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
The staff at Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 949 Main St., Waldoboro, is caring for the family.
