Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers, 85 WISCASSET -- Maggie Rogers, 85, of Wiscasset, passed away peacefully at the Cove's Edge Nursing Home in Damariscotta on Aug. 26, 2009. Born in Newton, Mass., on Dec. 8, 1923, she was the youngest daughter of George and Mabel Rogers. In 1925, the family moved to the suburbs of Chicago, Ill. She was a graduate of Oak Park High School and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. She married Richard Allen Gaeth who was also a graduate of Lawrence University. Following several years of living in Connecticut, the family moved to Wiscasset. Together, Dick and Maggie owned and operated Round Top Ice Cream for several years. Following their divorce, Maggie ran a very successful bed and breakfast for several years on her farm in Wiscasset. At the age of 55, Maggie became a crewmember of the Schooner /Appledore/, sailing around the world for a year and a half before returning home to Wiscasset where her life continued to change. At the age of 65 she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to the island of Micronesia in the South Pacific. While there, she visited neighboring countries including Bali in Thailand, a place she loved. Maggie was an avid gardener and loved flowers. She actively participated in the plans and building of her new home in 1980. Her English Cottage Garden attracted three families of bluebirds every year. She was one of the 10 founders of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Barter's Island in Boothbay, and served as a member on the board for many years, remaining active until her death. Maggie loved Maine and became well known in the county. Her contributions to the state will be welcomed by future generations. Maggie was also a member, and past president, of The Garden Club of Wiscasset, the Wiscasset Library and the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. Maggie was predeceased by her daughter, Dian Gaeth; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Rebecca Rehbock of Stratford Conn., who perished in a fire on March 11, 1998. She is survived by her son Richard Rogers Gaeth and his wife Pamela Hall Gaeth; two grandchildren, William (Alex) Gaeth and his fiancé Alison Brown, and Brittany Gaeth-Carter and her husband Christopher Carter; one great-grandchild, Emily Gaeth-Carter, all of Nobleboro; two older sisters, Jane Hughes Barton and husband Duncan Barton of Matthews, N.C., and Ruth Serfling Townsend and John Townsend of Damariscotta and Vero Beach, Fla. The public is invited to a celebration of Maggie's life, which will be held at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Barter's Island in Boothbay on Sept. 12, at 5:15 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.StrongHancock.com. Memorial contributions in Maggie's name may be made to: The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens P.O. Box 234 Boothbay, Maine 04537 or The Garden Club of Wiscasset Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 174 Wiscasset, Maine 04578 Maggie Rogers