Martha “Tiny” Belknap Reed, 93, died on Jan. 8 at MaineGeneral in Augusta. She was born in Cambridge, Mass. on Aug. 16, 1920, and was the daughter of Dr. Robert W. and Martha Chapman Belknap. She grew up in Damariscotta.
She married Howard William Reed on May 17, 1943. He kissed her on the front steps of Castner Grammar School when she was 6, and loved him every day after that. She graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1938, and was on the state championship basketball team. She then went to Smith College, University of Maine, Orono, and graduated from Simmons College with a BS in Secretarial Studies in 1943.
During WWII, she worked at Hyde-Windlass in Bath. After her husband returned from the war, they lived for five years in Waterville before moving back to Damariscotta and opening their store – The Comer Dry Goods, and then Reed’s Department Store. They built their own home on Belknap Point in 1957-58.
They retired in 1979 and went on many trips, and spent two months in Florida every year during the winter.
“Tiny,” “Mom,” “Nana,” “Grand Nana” loved to watch the Celtics; knit and crochet, especially hats which she loved to give to adults and children; and be surrounded by family. She loved being surrounded by the family around the dinner table. She played tennis until the age of 85, and continued to play bridge until 90.
She made afghans for her four children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She spent her last four years surrounded by Linda’s family in Waterville. She was cared for by granddaughter Becky.
Tiny was predeceased by her parents; husband, Howard in 1992; sister, Ruth Bickford; and brothers, Samuel, Robert and James.
She is survived by her children, Martha Dodge and daughters Christine Sher (Adam and children Amanda and Tyler), Laurie Wilson (Jay and son Caleb); Katharine Casey (Tom and sons Corey (Noel and son Reed), and Tom (Jen); Linda Cote (Mike and children Jessica (Pete and children Sara, Petey, Cody and Chase), Niki (Scott) and Becky Chamberlain (Ronnie and children Gage, Brooke and Damian); David Reed (Cathleen and sons Jasper (Shannon and daughter Layla), David Jr. (daughter Sydney), Matthew and Isaac). She is also survived by brother, David Belknap and wife Louise; and sister-in-law, Lucy Belknap; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will be held from 2 – 4 p.m., Sun., Jan. 12 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Mon., Jan. 13 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newcastle. She will be laid to rest with her husband in the Hillside Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert W. Belknap, MD Free Bed Fund, c/o David Belknap, PO Box 7, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, 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.
