Peggy Osher

Peggy (Liberman) Osher, 88
PORTLAND - Peggy (Liberman) Osher, 88, died from Parkinson's disease on May 22. She was born in St. Louis in June of 1929, to Louis and Sadie (Grossman) Liberman. Her father owned a women's clothing store, which inspired Peggy's lifelong interest in fashion and design.
Lovingly married to Dr. Harold L. Osher for 68 years, the Oshers first met when Peggy was a sophomore at Wellesley College and were married the following year. She was the devoted mother of Susan Osher Epstein (Bill), Nancy Osher Blumberg (Bart Blumberg), Dr. Judith Osher (Joel Bresler) and Dr. Sam Osher (Alana) and is also survived by her sister Nancy Ratliff of Hattiesburg, Miss., nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Osher worked tirelessly on behalf of the Portland community, serving on many local and state boards. She pioneered the teaching of art in the public schools, providing educators with supplies and materials. This led to a decades-long involvement with the Portland Museum of Art, where she served on the Board of Trustees for over 50 years with her dear friend Rosalyne Bernstein.
She was a member of the Architect Selection Committee that commissioned Harry Cobb of I.M. Pei to design what became the Payson Building. She served as chair of the Education and Collections Committees, founded the Friends of the Collection, and with her husband established the Peggy and Harold Osher Acquisitions Fund. Recognized as an outstanding baker, she offered a monthly supply of cookies to the Portland Museum of Art's annual auction for decades, invariably generating competitive bidding. To honor Mrs. Osher, the Museum appointed her a lifetime trustee and established the Peggy L. Osher Director of Learning and Interpretation.
In 1974, on a trip to London, she convinced her husband, Harold, to buy a historic map that he had admired. This was the start of their magnificent collection of antique maps, globes and artifacts that now reside at The Osher Map Library (OML) at the University of Southern Maine. The OML collection, with its online presence and educational programs, is now accessible to academics and the public in Maine and throughout the world.
Describing his wife, Dr. Osher said, "Even as an important patron of the arts and committed community servant, she led with modesty. And she was also the epitome of elegance and grace."
She warmly welcomed many newcomers to Portland and mentored them as they put down roots. Her close friend, Phyllis Givertz, captured her essence, describing her as the most selfless and loving person one could imagine. "It was quite simply the greatest gift to have shared in her incredibly generous and purpose-filled life."
Beyond her dedication to various community causes as a professional volunteer, her family was always Mrs. Osher's first priority. She embraced her role as a wife and mother, providing a loving home for their four children. She eagerly anticipated the arrival of grandchildren, and was blessed with nine, plus four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the physicians and caregivers for their loving care during her illness.
Services will take place on Sunday, May 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Beth-El, 400 Deering Ave. in Portland. Interment at Mount Sinai cemetery, 158 Hicks St. in Portland will immediately follow the funeral
Arrangements made by Portland Jewish Funeral Home.

Donations in her memory
may be made to:
The Portland Museum of Art
The Osher Map Library, or to
the charity of one's choice