Marjory Lucy (Robbins) (Feeney) Lalime, 91, of Damariscotta peacefully passed away on Oct. 12, 2023, with her loving family at her side, at LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus in Damariscotta.
She was born in Waterville on Sep. 24, 1932, the daughter of Maurice Smiley Robbins and Malvena (Masse) Robbins.
Marjory attended Vassalboro schools and East Vassalboro Friends Meeting (Quaker). She graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston, and continued her education at the University of Maine in Orono. There, she submitted the winning entry to name a new student gathering place, The Bear’s Den. Marjory graduated from the University of Maine in 1954 with a B.S. degree in nutrition. She completed a dietary internship at Beth Israel Hospital in Brookline, Mass. in 1955.
One memorable event was the time Marjory got to shake John F. Kennedy’s hand at an event in Boston.
Marjory’s first career was as a dietician, beginning at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass. She met Joseph Patrick Feeney, a Dorchester native and U.S. Air Force veteran; they married on June 23, 1957. Just three months later, as they were expecting their first child, “Joe” (aged 24 years) died of a heart attack. Now a young widow, Marjory returned to her parents’ home in East Vassalboro. In 1959, she married Ronald Lalime, a widower with three small children. Their combined family grew to six girls.
Marjory’s love of sewing allowed her creativity to thrive as she made clothing for her daughters. She was a wonderful interior decorator and created beautiful living spaces in all her homes, throughout her life.
Marjory resumed her career as a dietitian and worked at Thayer and Seton Hospitals in Waterville for 15 years. During this time she took up running and won many prizes.
She moved to Midcoast Maine in 1983, started a new life and established the successful Serendipity House gift shop, which became the “store to visit” for both locals and tourists. She used her composed eye and was an intelligent marketer. She was always ready to offer her clients help in finding just the right gift. Her store was full of whimsical and also practical objects sourced from all over the world. Marjory was one of the first shopkeepers to practice recycling at her shop and encouraged other shop keepers in the community to do the same.
After retiring from her business in 2002, Marjory was active in multiple bridge groups in the Midcoast area. She organized The Lincoln Home weekly bridge group, served on the board of The Lincoln Home, and supported community health care for Lifespan Family Health. She loved her volunteer work at Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop. Marjory dedicated time to support Barack Obama’s campaign volunteers. She dabbled in local theater productions and was an avid reader, Scrabble player and river watcher. She passionately lived for 40 years on the Damariscotta River.
Marj enjoyed traveling to her children’s homes in many states: Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, California, and New York; also, to Italy, the former Yugoslavia, and Aruba. She vacationed with family in Maui, The Turks and Caicos Islands, and in The Caribbean. Her work for her shop took her to many locations in the U.S. on buying trips, which she greatly enjoyed.
Marjory was predeceased by her parents; and three brothers, Louis, Gerald, and Wallace. She is survived by her six daughters; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family is grateful for the outstanding physicians and providers who cared for her over the years, especially Dr. Michael Clark.
A memorial service will be in May of 2024, and held outside.
Notes of condolences may be expressed to the family in care of Andrea Lalime Keushguerian at 52 Water St., Damariscotta, ME, 04543.
