SCARBOROUGH — Elizabeth “Lib” Augusta Blackwood, 87, died March 13 of complications from a prior stroke.
She was born in Crouse, N.C. in 1921, the daughter of Bryan and Lona Mauney.
While living in Charlotte, she met Robert S. Blackwood, an engineer and reserve Army officer. They married on May 17, 1941.
While stationed in California in 1944, her husband was deployed to Europe. She embarked on a cross-country drive with her 10-week-old daughter to be with her husband’s family in South Portland. Her 35 mph journey to the East Coast was the source of many family stories. Upon arriving, the wives of her husband’s childhood friends took her in and remained her closest friends throughout her life.
When her husband returned from World War II, they settled in South Portland. Despite a bout with polio, she led an active life as a mother of three, a career woman and community volunteer.
She served terms as the president of the Junior League and the YWCA. In the 1960s, she began her career in real estate at The Beecher Agency and eventually became co-owner of Town and Shore Associates.
She and her husband traveled extensively and had a special fondness for Kailua, Hawaii, where they spent 20 winter seasons.
She loved to grow flowers, entertain, play bridge and golf. Her lavish holiday table settings were centerpieces of many happy family gatherings.
She was predeceased by her daughter Anne.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bob, of Piper Shores, Scarborough; her son Bob Jr., and his wife Jill of South Portland; her son Ralph and his wife Nancy Nicholas of Schenectady, N.Y.; granddaughter Sarah Blackwood of Gainesville, Fla., grandson Ben Blackwood and his wife Kristen of Fort Mill, S.C.; brother Harry Mauney and his wife Doris of Merritt Island, Fla.; many cousins; nieces and nephews; daughter Anne’s step-children; and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at St. Albans Church in Cape Elizabeth at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blackwood Family Scholarship at The University of Southern Maine, PO Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300 or to St Albans Episcopal Church, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.
Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.
Blackwood
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