1920 – 2014
AUGUSTA — Martha “Tiny” Belknap Reed, 93, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at MaineGeneral in Augusta.
She was born in Cambridge, Mass., on Aug. 16, 1920, and was the daughter of Dr. Robert W. and Martha Chapman Belknap. She grew up in Damariscotta. She married Howard William Reed on May 17, 1943. He kissed her on the front steps of Castner Grammar School when she was six and loved him every day after that. She graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1938 and was on the state championship basketball team. She then went to Smith College, University of Maine, Orono and graduated from Simmons College with a bachelor’s degree in secretarial studies in 1943.
During World War II, she worked at Hyde-Windlass in Bath. After her husband returned from the war, they lived for five years in Waterville, before moving back to Damariscotta and opened their store — The Comer Dry Goods and then Reed’s Department Store. They built their own home on Belknap Point in 1957-58.
They retired in 1979 and went on many trips and spent two months in Florida every year during the winter.
“Tiny,” “Mom,” “Nana,” “Grand Nana” loved to watch the Celtics; knit and crochet, especially hats which she loved to give to adults and children; and be surrounded by family. She loved having the family surrounded around the dinner table. She played tennis until the age of 85 and continued to play bridge until 90. She made afghans for her four children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She spent her last four years surrounded by Linda’s family in Waterville. She was cared for by granddaughter, Becky.
She is survived by her children, Martha Dodge and her daughters, Christine Sher (Adam and children, Amanda and Tyler), Laurie Wilson (Jay and son, Caleb), Katharine Casey (Tom and sons, Corey (Noel and son Reed), Tom (Jen)); Linda Cote (Mike and children, Jessica (Pete and children, Sara, Petey, Cody and Chase), Niki (Scott) and Becky Chamberlain (Ronnie and children, Gage, Brooke and Damian)); David Reed (Cathleen and sons, Jasper (Shannon and daughter, Layla), David Jr. (daughter, Sydney), Matthew and Isaac). She is also survived by brother, David Belknap and wife, Louise; and sister-in-law, Lucy Belknap; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Tiny was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Howard in 1992; sister, Ruth Bickford; and brothers, Samuel, Robert and James.
Condolences and messages for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.