PORT CLYDE — Eva Gilley Spear Cushman, 100, of Port Clyde, passed away on January 8, 2025, at Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport. She was born on High Street in Camden in her grandparents’ home on September 16, 1924, to parents Madolin Richards Spear and Willis Spear Sr.

After finishing school, she babysat for Albert Elliott who was a State Senator. She then met Shannon Lee Cushman in Thomaston where she lived. They married on January 18, 1941. They made their home in Port Clyde raising 7 children in 1946, living in multiple homes before moving to 52 Factory Road in 1976 where she lived for the remainder of her years.

During her life, she worked at the shrimp plant, Port Clyde Packing Co., the Port Clyde General Store, The Port Clyde Water Co., and owning her own consignment shop at her home named ‘The Mourning Dove.’ She also volunteered at the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum.

Eva was an avid knitter, quilter, and crafter, belonging to many groups. She was the creator of the fisherman dolls that are sold annually at the Port Clyde Baptist Church.

She kept her mind sharp by doing daily crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and always reading the newspapers. Eva was a historian, clipping many news articles. Because of her interest and knowledge of Port Clyde, she was featured in many magazines and was on video to capture her knowledge; these can be viewed on YouTube, ‘Fire and Biscuits and Fisherman’s Oral History.’

Until 5 years ago when she fell on Christmas Day and broke her femur she was knitting and sewing every day to stock up her inventory for the next craft show to sell her creations. Eva’s daily routine was having morning coffee with her son-in-law Rudy, talking about the local news and grandchildren, watching the birds and who was walking by. She made friends by finding out who the new walker was.

She is predeceased by her parents, and her husband, Shannon L. Cushman Sr.; her sons Shannon Jr. and Willis (Ritchie); daughter Priscilla; grandsons John Crane and Robert Patterson; granddaughter Melinda Cushman; and brothers Willis and John Spear.

She is survived by her daughters Arlene Crane (Ray), Deborah Condon (Bill), Janice Pease (Rudy), and Belinda Chase (Alvin); sister Louise Reynolds; sister-in-law Gail Spear; daughter-in-law Linda, and she was blessed to have 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 26 great great grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held in the spring.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share a condolence or memory with the Cushman family, visit Eva’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.