SCARBOROUGH – Lerline M. Santos passed away peacefully on May 18, 2021. Lerline was born Nov. 14, 1926, in Columbia, S.C. She was the first black woman to work in the Government printing office in Washington, D.C., as a linotype operator where she met and married Freeman Santos in 1948.

Lerline and Freeman moved to Portland, Maine, where Freeman was originally from and in 1976 bought their home in Scarborough. Lerline spent several years working in the library at UNUM. Lerline and Freeman traveled extensively including a trip in their 1970s Cadillac across the United States. They enjoyed cruises and traveled to many countries including India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Russia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. They were visiting Beijing, China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations.

Lerline made many annual trips to visit friends in Maryland and vacation with friends in Cancun, Mexico. Lerline enjoyed cooking her southern specialties including black eyed peas, collard greens, Texas sheet cake, and her popular potato salad. Her delicious mixture of sweet potatoes, turnip and carrots became known as “Lerline’s Roots” and was a tradition at holiday gatherings. Lerline was active in the Women’s Fellowship Council at Black Point Congregational Church, The Scarborough garden club, and the Red Hats. Gardening was one of Lerline’s passions and she would spend hours tending her garden beds and happily riding her John Deere mower. Lerline loved knitting, especially scarves, and had a scarf to match every outfit. Lerline was always “dressed to the nines” with a matching hat, jewelry, purse and shoes.

Lerline enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts including making wreaths for all seasons and putting together beautiful flower arrangements from her garden. Lerline loved shopping and searching for treasures at garage sales. She enjoyed eating out and socializing with her numerous friends. Lerline’s presence would light up a room with her radiant smile, personality, and contagious laugh.

Lerline was predeceased by her husband, Freeman, in 2001. Lerline leaves behind many friends and relatives who loved her dearly and will miss her deeply, including her “adopted daughter”, Theresa Stevens, and Gaston Lee. Per Lerline’s wishes there will be no services.

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