1916 – 2016

BOOTHBAY HARBOR — Born in the lee of Spruce Mountain in the Ellis River Valley of North Rumford on Sept. 4, 1916, Verna Mae was about the middle child of 10 to Lee and Edith Thurston. Lee went to the woods in the winter harvesting wood for the Rumford mill while the rest of the family ran the farm.

Horses, cows, chickens, other livestock and a vegetable garden were never very far below the conscious mind of this future boat builder’s wife. Life on the farm was good — she grew up happy, graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford, took odd jobs until she came to East Boothbay to help her older sister, Evelyn Stevens, with her rapidly increasing family.

Verna soon met a lonesome young man named Paul Luke and they were never very far apart for the next 60-odd years. They had four children, Peggy, John, Dennis (deceased 1949) and Frank.

Verna was a very strong woman who did not hesitate to issue some tough love — truth, followed by a big hug. Not even Paul escaped. She was active in the community while the children were growing up, church affairs, Cub Scouts, 4-H club. Her boatyard roles included secretary, bookkeeper and confidante.

She even took correspondence courses to improve her bookkeeping skills (who does that anymore?) When the Maine Boatbuilders and Repair Association was newly formed, she stepped up to be active treasurer. Not to leave out her many years with the Pythias Sisters.

Verna and Paul were active members of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht club, as well as the Cruising Club of America.

Verna’s stress relief would be to, as often as she could, walk around Ocean Point or anywhere else. She exercised at the local YMCA and at home along with Bonny Prudent. She loved her winter sports including figure skating in Brunswick or on the pond next to the house, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Verna kept her hands busy — from needlepoint to knitting. In recent years, she supplied countless dish cloths to friends and family and every newborn received a baby hat. She made and donated many to area hospitals. Her cookie tin was always full and her eyes lit up when told, “These are good, but you could use a little more practice.”

Her husband, Paul, died in 2001. As of this writing, Verna’s sister, Jeanette, and brothers, Marlin and Harmon, are still with us, and sister-in-law, Molly Luke, too.

Peggy, John with wife, Frederica, and Frank with wife, Nora, are still here; grandkids, Tracy Luke Cote, Kristy Luke, Keith Luke and Andrew Luke; great-grandkids, Tracy’s — Nathan and Elizabeth: Kristy’s — Hannah and Jon: Keith’s — Wyatt and Coby. You don’t want me to list all of the nieces and nephews.

Verna passed away quietly at St. Andrew’s Village on Wednesday, May 4. The family would like to thank the staff for the care and attention they paid to her.