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- Obituary: form https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/7561545/Josephine-Hart
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Obituary
Josephine Hart, passed away at her home on February 5, warm and comfortable on a snowy day. Jo was was born in Philadelphia, PA, on December 24, 1923. Her mother told her that she arrived with Santa on his sled. She was the daughter of W. West and Charlotte (Brown) Frazier of Renfrew Farm in Roxborough, PA.
She married George Harrison Hart of Arrowhead Farm in Ambler, PA during WW II. A naval officer, George was stationed in San Diego. Jo relished the adventure of moving there to be with him. A year later, she went home to Pennsylvania to have their daughter, Kenner, and then went back to spend the rest of the war in California. The young family took their time returning to Pennsylvania by car, taking in all the sites. The stories of traveling across the country, introducing little Kenner to everyone everywhere, were numerous.
Jo and George had two more children, Maia and Wim, while living in Dover, MA. The family then spent several months in Europe before deciding to settle in Maine. Though her parents saw the move to the country as rather rebellious, Jo was not one to be easily swayed by others’ opinions.
In 1953, she and George found the perfect property in Newcastle. Glidden Point consisted of abundant woods and fields surrounded by the Damariscotta River and Great Salt Bay. At the end of the peninsula, shell middens were reminders of communities that thrived there thousands of years before. Jo and George felt a deep connection to the land and its past. To them, this extraordinary place belonged to everyone, and they took seriously their responsibilities as stewards. Eventually, they ensured its conservation by donating most of the property to the Damariscotta River Association.
The house was quite run-down early on, but over several years, Jo re-did each room with care, creating a home as beautiful on the inside as out. She enjoyed entertaining guests there and having parties that, by some accounts, bordered on being a little too much fun.
As the children grew up, Jo ran an informal community center for their Lincoln Academy friends. The ping-pong table was in the front hall, the pool table in the back room, and the band practiced in the dining room. If a young person was having trouble, he or she was welcome to live there for as long as needed.
A fourth child, Frazier, was added to the mix. Though much younger than his siblings, he fit in perfectly and was adored by all.
Sometimes there was enough quiet for Jo to play the piano. She enjoyed playing Chopin and Beethoven and it was always a joy to listen to her play just for the fun of it.
For many years, Jo had a successful farm. She was especially fond of the sheep she raised for lamb and wool, knowing each ewe by name. Later in life, she often wistfully recalled her flock.
Jo was a skilled tennis player, a very capable captain of her 34' sailboat, "Loon," a beautiful figure skater and skier, and devoted gardener. She loved to travel, taking trips as far afield as Africa, Australia and Antarctica.
Another of Jo's great loves was dogs. Well-behaved dogs and their people were invited to walk the many trails that George had created around Glidden Point. Jo knew the dogs' names better than the owners'. In later life, she enjoyed sitting on her deck waving to the walkers along the river. Often, dogs would run up to the kitchen, where snacks were always on hand, and visit with the canine contingent in residence. Their owners were sometimes embarrassed by such presumption, but it was hardly interpreted that way by Jo. If she didn't have a crust of bread from her toast or sandwich, she would direct one of her caregivers or a family member to find something for each "guest." As it had been from the beginning, everyone was warmly welcomed, regardless of background or species.
Jo was predeceased by her husband George; her daughter Kenner Hart Myers; and her grandson Harrison Chase Myers.
She is survived by her daughter, Maia Hart of Damariscotta; son, William Hart and his wife Virginia of Canaan, NH; son, Frazier Hart of Newcastle; granddaughter, Anna Myers of Newcastle; son-in-law, Winslow Myers of Bristol Mills; sister, Bettina Peabody of Hancock, NH; brother, W. West Frazier of Hull's Cove; and the caregivers who shared so much love with Jo and her family over the years.
She supported many community organizations, including the Damariscotta River Association, St. Andrews Church, Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Lincoln Academy, Skidompha Library, the CLC YMCA, and Mobius, Inc. If you wish, you may donate to these or other organizations in her name.
A celebration for Josephine will be held in June. By that time, her beloved trumpet vine will be crawling up the house, the ospreys will be flying in view of the back deck, and afterwards, everyone can jump in the river and exclaim, "Oh isn't this lovely! Aren't we lucky!," just as she would have wanted.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.
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1923 - 2015 (91 years)
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