Elizabeth Sayward House, 85, of Damariscotta, died July 5 at her home after a brief illness. Elizabeth was born in Boothbay Harbor Aug. 26, 1922, the daughter of Joseph Dexter Sayward, Sr. and Carrie Mildred Blake Sayward.
She grew up in Boothbay Harbor and graduated from Boothbay High School with honors in 1940. After graduation, Elizabeth traveled to Miami, Fla. with a few of her school friends where she worked as a legal secretary. In the summer of 1942, she enlisted in the Navy Waves and served in Washington, D.C. until her discharge at the conclusion of WWII.
Upon returning home to Boothbay, she resumed a long time romance with Arthur D. House, Sr. and they were married in May 1949. Not long after they married, Arthur took over ownership of his father’s business Hilltop Market (now Big Dave’s) and Elizabeth kept books for the business for nearly 30 years until their retirement in 1980.
Elizabeth was an avid reader and her home was often littered with big shopping bags full of books, which she regularly donated to the library second-hand bookstore. She enjoyed gardening and knitting and delighted in visits from her grandchildren and, in later years, her great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth was predeceased by Arthur, her husband of 50 years, in 2000, as well as brother, Joseph Dexter Sayward, Jr. and sister, Gloria Balsdon.
She is survived by her three children, Laurel House Grady and husband Rodney of Jefferson, Dyan House Robinson and husband Joseph of Damariscotta, and Jay D. House of Rockland; grandchildren, Andrew Grady, Heather R. Dube, Elizabeth G. Hayford, Joseph Robinson, Rodney Grady, Jr., Emma Oster and Terryn House; great-grandchildren Hilary Dube, Kaitlyn Dube, Grady Hayford, Gavin Hayford, Lilia Hayford and Blake Grady; beloved sisters-in-law, Lucille Putnam and Anna House, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Services 11 a.m., Fri., July 11 at the Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Reception at the family home on School St. in Damariscotta immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, NE Division, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
Arrangements and care have been entrusted to the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Damariscotta.
