Marie Billings Walch, 85, of Waldoboro died peacefully on Sept. 7.
She was born in Bar Harbor on April 8, 1922, the daughter of John and Evelyn (Ritchie) Billings. She spent her childhood years in Seal Harbor, where she developed her love of observing the world of nature that she kept throughout her life.
After her father died in a boating accident in 1935 when she was 13 years old, she helped her mother care for her three younger brothers.
She graduated from Gilman High School in 1941 as valedictorian of her class of 25 students. From her small hometown, she then found work as a secretary in New York City, N.Y., then at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt.
Through a mutual friend, she met her future husband, Harold G. Walch. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on Aug. 14, 2007. For 47 years, they made their home in Farmington, Conn. in a house and neighborhood they loved. In 1998, they moved to Waldoboro to live “on campus” with their older daughter.
Together, Harry and Marie traveled extensively in the United States and Canada. In 1967, they took their daughters on a cross-country camping trip, and in subsequent summers, Harry took education courses in Michigan, Kentucky, and the state of Washington. They made friends wherever they went, and Marie enjoyed keeping in touch throughout the years.
Family and friends have been her first priority throughout her life. She particularly enjoyed the Walch, Billings, and Johnson family reunions, family gatherings at the holidays, and any excuse to cook a wonderful meal and visit with her loved ones.
Marie was a born organizer, and she volunteered her skills as an assistant Girl Scout leader when her girls were scouts, then re-entered the work force as an executive secretary. She also mothered everyone her girls brought home, and anyone she worked with. Her outlook was always upbeat and positive, and her delight in observing nature was keen, even as her health difficulties kept her more homebound.
During her early years, Marie was a member of the Congregational Church in Seal Harbor, participating in all their youth activities. She and Harry were married there in 1948. In recent years, she attended the United Methodist Church in Waldoboro. She was an active member and served as secretary of the United Methodist Women’s group.
Marie is survived by her husband, Harry of Waldoboro; brothers, Richard Billings and wife Jill of Freedom, David Billings and wife Muriel of Seal Harbor, and Fred Billings and wife Noel of Fairfield, Conn.; daughters, Delia Mohlie and husband Ted of Waldoboro, and Abby Gilbert and husband Philip of Westford, Mass. She is also survived by her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Ben and Eliza Mohlie, and Tyler, Cooper, and Duncan Gilbert.
Celebration of her life 1 p.m., Sat., Sept. 15 at the Waldoboro United Methodist Church, Friendship St., Waldoboro.
Should friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to The Seal Harbor Village Improvement Society, P.O. Box 171, Seal Harbor, ME 04675.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coast of Maine Cremation and Funeral Service, Waldoboro.
