Mrs. Isabel T. Coburn, 91, of New Harbor, wife of C. Richard Coburn, died Feb. 15 at her home. The third of three children, she was the daughter of Gilbert Woodsum and Edna Belle (Gilbert) Tuell of Fairhaven, Mass.
When Isabel was six months old, the family moved to Stoughton, Mass., then back to Fairhaven five years later, where she attended public schools, graduating from Fairhaven High School as valedictorian. She attended Gould Academy, Bethel, for one year before entering Pembroke College, Brown University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1942. She played viola in school and civic orchestras during this time and also sang in church choirs and civic groups, and she would pass this love of music on to her children.
After college, she worked briefly as an accountant for United Rubber Company in Naugatuck, Conn., then became a Chance Vought Scholar at New York University, studying Aeronautical Engineering. She worked as a test designer at Chance Vought Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, Conn. for the duration of WWII, then later as an engineering assistant at General Electric Company, in Lynn, Mass. and Cincinnati, Ohio, where she met her husband at First Unitarian Church. While raising her children, she was active in Scouting, PTA, other school affairs and Unitarian-Universalist Churches.
They lived in Cincinnati until 1974, when they moved to Maine. After 10 years in Portland, they retired to New Harbor to the house she spent many years designing and planning. While in retirement, she immersed herself in family genealogy, corresponding with friends and new found extended family members across the country. She enjoyed all word puzzles, her cats, and the ever-changing view of John’s Bay from their home.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Frances (Mrs. Alexander D. Bruce) and Dorris (Mrs. Walter E. Longmore).
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Charles Philip (Chip) Coburn and wife Wendy of Sharonville, Ohio; daughter, Cori Coburn Thurlow of Haverhill, Mass.; grandchildren, Christopher Gilbert, Erin Elizabeth and Molly Jane Thurlow and Charles Richard (Chad) Coburn; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in the Cape Cod area.
In accordance with Isabel’s wishes, there will be no services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to Bristol First Responders, 104 South Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554; The New England Historical/Genealogical Society, 101 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116-3007; Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 689 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139-3302; or The Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101.
