GORHAM — Glenna Miner Boothby, 81, died on Dec. 22, 2010, with her family by her side at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Enosburg Falls, Vt., on April 16, 1929, she was the eldest of 16 children born to Donald H. Miner Sr. and Della Mae Kenfield Miner. In her early years, as her family moved around, she quickly became supportive and caring to her younger brothers and sisters, and remained so throughout her life and was the guardian of her youngest sister for over 40 years. Glenna graduated from Standish High School in 1947, married Philip W. Boothby Sr. in 1950, and they recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with their entire family.
As a young mother, she worked tirelessly sewing shoes, selling cosmetics and pots and pans and providing day care in her home for up to 13 children in addition to her own to help support her family.
As her children grew older, she completed a 25-year career with the University of Southern Maine, retiring as administrative assistant in the admissions office in 1994.
Anyone who ever met her, immediately sensed an affectionate, kind and gracious lady who made you comfortable to be around. Glenna had a huge heart and had plenty of love for everyone. Her children’s spouses consider her a “Mom-In-Law” and felt blessed to be treated as her own children.
“Grammy” has truly been an inspiration to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and supported all their endeavors. Although she chose not to attend college to help support her brothers and sisters, she considered education very important and showed that by purchasing college books for all her children and grandchildren as they attended post secondary education.
She enjoyed spending summers at the family camp on Pequawket Lake and the daily boat ride with her husband and her extended family and friends.
She was a member of Eastern Star and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. To the very end, she lived her life to the fullest.
She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Donald Miner Jr.; a sister, Margaret Gail Miner; and two great-grandchildren.
Surviving her are husband, Philip W. Boothby Sr.; her children, Philip Boothby Jr. of Raymond, Mark Boothby of Scarborough, Cynthia Boothby of Gorham and Nancy Fowler of Windham; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Newbern Miner Sr., William Miner, Shirley Erickson, Beverly Bustin-Hathaway, Ruth Cox, Charlotte Stevens, Malcom Miner, Gene Miner, Ronald Miner, Marilyn Wood, Sandra Foster, Joan Brown and Fred Miner; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
A period of visitation was held prior to a memorial service on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at the Cressey Road United Methodist Church, 81 Cressey Road, Gorham. Arrangements are by the Dolby and Dorr Funeral Chapel, Gorham. For online condolences, please visit their website at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com
If desired, in addition to or in lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to either:
Waban Projects, Inc., 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, ME 04073 or Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.