Margarete Lietz of Boothbay died suddenly on Oct. 9.

Margarete Jensen was born in Kiel, Germany on April 24, 1923 and continued to live in that area through the 1940s when she met and married Heinz Lietz of Schleiswig, Germany. They both enjoyed sailing in his sailboat on the North Sea. In 1950, they were fortunate to meet a British diplomat who provided them with an opportunity to move to England and work as domestics. For economic reasons, this situation did not last long but in 1951 gave them the opportunity to emigrate to New Jersey, this time as indentured household help. They stayed there a short time and then got work on an estate in Connecticut, she as cook and he as handyman/chauffeur. It was there that Margarete learned English and Heinz spent time working in a local boatyard. They remained there for several years until their employer died. At that time, Heinz contacted Jim Stevens of Goudy & Stevens Shipyard and was hired. This resulted in their moving to Boothbay where they rebuilt an old house on Back River Road. After settling in Boothbay, Margarete worked for Andersen Ceramics but soon moved to work with Al Sherman in his upholstery business. Several years later she left there to start her own upholstery business which she continued until 2014.

In her younger days Margarete was an avid dancer and traveled around the area with her husband for both ballroom and square dances. She also loved to do needlepoint and to collect clowns, of which she had amassed over 800. She went fiddleheading at her secret spot every spring and made world-class eggnog during the holidays.

She was a close observer and patron of birds. When her patience was tested by red squirrels at the bird feeder, she would trap them and relocate them. She took the precaution of painting their tails silver so she could be sure they were not returning. Following Heinz’s death in 1983, she was comforted by her dog, Tor, who was her constant companion. Margarete is survived by two nieces.

Margarete was independent and self-sufficient. In spite of the fact that she was a widow for many years, she maintained her home and yard largely by herself. She carried her own firewood and mowed her own lawn. She was indeed a unique woman and will be missed by her family and many friends.

There will be a gathering at her home, date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Lincoln County Animal Shelter.