Faye was born in Bath, Maine, on October 31, 1916. Due to hard times for her mother, Faye was sent to the former Bath Military and Naval Orphan Asylum, at 103 South Street. She always said that the matron, Louise Staples, educated the children for success in life. She was graduated from Morse High School and went on to complete nursing studies at Boston’s New England Deaconess School of Nursing. She credited the Bath-based Davenport Trust Fund for providing a scholarship for her studies.
Although she and her future husband, Newell Wilson, were raised in the same place during the same years, their romance did not blossom until they were both in college. She was visiting in Bath and was asked to pick up Newell, who was also on break from school, at the train station. They ended up talking all night and were rarely apart again.
After her marriage to Newell in 1941, they moved to Queens, New York, where they lived during World War II while Newell was a naval officer stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After the war they settled in Hillsdale, New Jersey, where they raised their daughter, Linda.
In 1960, they purchased the historical Cyrus McKown house in Boothbay Harbor to establish Topside Inn, which they managed together for 37 years. They lived on Road’s End, where Faye kept a glorious flower garden and lavishly entertained friends. Their winter vacations were spent in Florida and on various Caribbean islands.
During her years in Boothbay, Faye was an avid and fearless sailor who loved regatta racing in her Boothbay Harbor One Design, Foxy Lady. Family memories are of lobster feasts, cocktail hour after folding the sails, and Faye standing on the side of the Brown’s Wharf Lobsterman statue showing the kids his left thumb.
She and Newell enjoyed 59 years of happy and inspiring partnership. Only in the past few years after Newell’s death did Faye consider giving up her Maine home. To be near her daughter, she moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She continued to stay in touch with friends and receive visitors in her private cottage. To the end, she insisted on living life on her own terms and always had a lovely flower garden.
Faye is survived by a daughter, Linda, a niece, Judy, grandchildren, Jocelyn, Cameron, and Dustin, and great-grandchildren, Marisol, Rafael, Alejandro, and Incipiente.
Private services in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, will be held June 5. Personal memories of Faye or old photos from friends are greatly welcomed by her family at [email protected]. If friends are so inclined, they may honor Faye’s memory by contributing to the Davenport Trust Fund, 65 Front Street, Bath, Maine, 04530, tel: 207- 443-3431.
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