Vera L. Studley

Portland- Vera Lois Studley, 97, passed away quietly surrounded by family members on June 15, 2014. The daughter of John M. and Millicent (Miner) Darrach, she was born in West Newton MA. on May 17, 1917. She graduated from Newton High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended and graduated from Chandler School for Women in Boston. She was an accomplished pianist as a young person.

While vacationing on Nantucket Island she met and soon married LeRoy “Roy” Studley who died in 1985.

They spend their married life living in Hyannis, MA, Cohasset, MA, and finally Gloucester MA. Their summers were consumed with their love of boating which they shared with their children. Vera worked for nearly twenty years for Gloucester Engineering as an Executive Assistant to the President of the company. She retired from this position to stay at home and take care of Roy who had Parkinson’s disease. Upon Roy’s death, Vera remained in their home in Gloucester, enjoying gardening, being a member of a book club, and doing volunteer work at the Gloucester Historical Society giving tours of the museum.

In 2004 Vera sold her home in Gloucester and moved to the Atrium in Portland to be closer to her family. During her time at the Atrium she enjoyed many cultural event that were provided to the residents and she was also able to spend more time with her family. She eventually moved to the Osher Inn’s assisted living facility and then on to the Cedars.

Vera is survived by her three children, Suzanne S. Megathlin of Cumberland Foreside, Gary C. Studley of Exeter NH, and Lee Anne Reed and her husband Charlie of Hollis Center, eight grandchildren and their spouses, Craig Megathlin, Shawn Megathlin, Mark Megathlin, Monica Wright, Olivia Studley, Nora Studley, Joshua King and Mark Reed; 13 great-grandchildren Reid, Kaitlin, Hannah, and Braden Megathlin, Kyle and Ryan Megathlin, Ben, Garret, and Aiden Megathlin, Trey and Noah Wright and Amelia and Maddie Reed. She is also survived by her sister Shirley Fordick of Vinal Haven and two nieces.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday June 22, 2014 at 3:00 PM followed by a reception at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. Interment will be at Seaside Cemetery in Gloucester, MA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Vera’s memory to The Cedars, 630 Ocean Ave, Portland ME. 04103 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 4777, New York NY, 10163.