Loretta Boeche, 88, a retired newspaper reporter and editor and active volunteer in numerous area organizations, died Oct. 19 at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta.
She was known for her long involvement with the Miles Memorial Hospital League’s house and garden tour, beginning as a hostess, then chairman of several subcommittees, and finally, chair of the tour for seven years. She was a member of the league’s board of directors for many years.
She was one of the two residents who sparked the creation of the Newcastle Committee on Governance. She served as chair of its subcommittee on forms of government during the committee’s 2004-2006 term. The committee’s recommendations, approved by voters at the 2005 town meeting, led to the creation of the post of town administrator and increasing the number of selectmen from three to five.
She also was known for her volunteer work at Newcastle Veterans Memorial Park, starting from its inception in 1991 until her death. She had been chairman or co-chairman since 1999.
In 2009, she initiated a beautification program on Main Street in Newcastle, and with fewer than a handful of other volunteers and with the help of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department jail work release program, cleared the roadside plantings of weeds that had choked the gardens for more than two years.
She also served as a member of Newcastle’s Comprehensive Plan Committee and was a ballot clerk for many years. In 2001, the Newcastle Board of Selectmen dedicated its annual town report to her in honor of her volunteer work.
She was a former member of the Damariscotta River Association’s board of directors and its executive board, and served as membership chair. She also was a member of the Old Bristol Garden Club.
She was treasurer of Daffodil Days, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, for many years. She also was a volunteer at Round Top Center for the Arts for a number of years. She was a charter member of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and served on its original membership committee. For many years, she was an IRS-certified volunteer, providing assistance on preparing income tax forms for low and middle income people.
When she retired and moved to Maine from Denville, N.J. in 1990, she purchased a cape built in Newcastle in 1790. The extensive renovation work required was the subject of a feature article in The Lincoln County News.
She and a group of friends, who dubbed themselves “The Breakfast Gang” met for breakfast every weekday morning. She also enjoyed playing bridge weekly.
She took up folk art painting after moving to Maine, exhibiting her work at craft shows in Damariscotta and Rockland. She was a member of the Society of Decorative Painters. She and her good friend formed a partnership known as Whimsies Ltd. and displayed their art works at an open house. Boeche’s painting of an old-fashioned winter scene was selected by the Miles Memorial Hospital League to be one of its two new Christmas cards sold in 2006.
Ms. Boeche began her newspaper career in New Jersey in 1955 with The Citizen of Morris County, first as circulation director and then as a reporter. She joined the Daily Record in Parsippany, N.J., in 1965 as a courthouse reporter. She ultimately became an assistant city editor, city editor and, finally, associate editor. She retired in 1988.
Prior to her newspaper career, she worked for Wright Aeronautical Corp. in Paterson, N.J., and Burlington Industries in Manhattan.
She and her brother, Don, operated The Village Chandler candle and Christmas shop for 14 years, first in Boonton, N.J., then at DenBrook Village in Denville, N.J. She taught candle making and for three summers and was the weekend candle maker at historic Waterloo Village in Stanhope, N.J.
She often said that her favorite volunteer job in Maine was chairing the Miles Hospital League’s house and garden tour. She made many innovations in the tour, building its attendance from 500 to 900-1000.
She was born and raised in Mountain Lakes, N.J. She was an active member of the Mountain Lakes League of Women Voters and served a term as its president.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mary Alice and Guy A. Boeche; and brother, Donald E. Boeche. She leaves no survivors.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sun., Oct. 28 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Miles Memorial Hospital, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta ME 04543; or Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat Dr., Americus, GA 31709.
Condolences, and messages of remembrance, 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.
