December 10, 1941 - December 30, 2019
Portland, ME
Margery “Marge”Louise Caldwell Sudbay BS RN PMHNP FNP, peacefully passed away surrounded by the love of her family on December 30, 2019.
Marge was born in Lewiston, Maine on December 10, 1941, daughter of
Richard E and Cora P Caldwell. She spent most of her childhood in rural Canton, ME, attending local schools. In 1955 her family moved to Portland, where Marge attended Deering High School, graduating class of 1959.
In the years following graduation she married her high school sweetheart, purchased a home in the Deering Center neighborhood of Portland and started a family. Divorced in the early 1970’s Marge remained in the family home, independently raising three daughters. Her best Motherly advice “remember your self respect!” She has been lovingly remembered as a role model for single mothers.
A trusted “Neighborhood Mom” she was easy to talk to, kind, humorous, creative, dependable, patient and she didn’t faint at the sight of scrapped knees! She was a good cook who never minded setting an extra place at the table. Strangely there was always room at the table when she was serving frozen stuffed shells left over from the Richardson Street freezer!!
During the late 1960’s, with her daughters in tow, weekends and school vacations were spent at Middle Range Pond learning carpentry skills by working alongside her beloved Father assisting him in the building of his “Camp” aka her parents retirement home. She treasured time spent with her father who was her biggest champion. Her carpentry skills proved essential over the years when she independently purchased and upgraded her own homes long before “flipping houses” became a thing. She also used these skills to repair and refinish antique and unfinished furniture.
Following her passion for helping others Marge enrolled part time in the University of Southern Maine (USM) School of Nursing, graduating in 1976.
Throughout her nursing career, which started as a Public Health Nurse, she began a life long crusade for the prevention, disclosure and belief of children in cases of sexual abuse and physical neglect and/or abuse. Marge continued her Nursing education earning a Masters of Nursing degree in 1982. Working as a Family Nurse Practioner she countinued her crusade to protect children at risk through work opportunities in family health clinics, public schools and government agencies.
In the mid 1980’s she enjoyed her dream vacation four weeks traveling Europe!
While in Europe she traveled by Eurail visiting every museum and country she could experience viewing the masterpieces in person of her favorite artists: Michelangelo; Claude Monet; Vincent Van Gogh; Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. Marge captured almost every Europen memory on film, which she thoughtfully developed each photo into a slide. The slides were magnificent during a first viewing not so much the fourth, fifth, tenth time....In good spirits it became a family tease to ask any new comers...Have you seen Mom’s slides from Europe yet?
In 1988 Marge followed her adventurous spirit moving to the warm sunny beaches of Anna Maria Island, FL, where she lived for 12 years. She countinued to work in public health nursing, countinuing to champion for at risk children She recognized the need for a second crusade for the improvements of physical and mental health services for people diagnosed with HIV and/or AIDS. While in Florida she continued her education earning a master’s  degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practioner along with completing a Fellowship in Children’s Mental Health and Social Policy from the University of South Florida.
In the year 2000 her grandchildren inspired her move back home to Maine.
Proud “Nannie” of three grandchildren: Isa A Anderson, her wife Maria Sedler;
Cara E Worthing and her partner Kiren Ovady and Patrick J Linehan all of Portland.
Marge loved animals she had a special place in her heart for her pre-deceased granddog Bubbaloo Trouble.
She is survived by her three daughters: Terri L Sudbay Linehan , her spouse James W Linehan; Laura A Sudbay Worthing, her spouse Barry G Worthing and
Suzan F Sudbay Anderson Christie all of Portland.
Over the years during her leisure time Marge could be found: on an adventure with her grandchildren/daughters; meeting a dear friend for lunch/dinner; calling a friend; visiting a local Library; getting her hair styled by Amber; volunteering; redecorating; bargain shopping; visiting a museum; movie at the theatre; watching an Old Western movie on tv; enjoying the rocky coastline beaches; white water canoeing; planting perennial flower gardens or taking a well earned nap with one eye opened watching HGTV. In recent less mobile months she found enjoyment and peace of mind coloring the beautiful flowers in coloring books such as those drawn by J. Basford.
Life is short....please take some time to do something you will personally enjoy. If you need a suggestion please feel free to do something that Marge enjoyed.
Marge’s family sends their heart felt appreciation to Intermed’s Dynamic Duo of
DR Atkinson and Medical Assistant Stephanie for their many years of providing exceptional patient care.
Marge did not want a traditional “Celebration of Life” she asked for friends and family to enjoy listening to “Done To Soon “ by Neil Diamond once a day for 3 days. She had always found inspiration in the lyrics of his songs.
As Marge would say.....
“Peace, Love and Happiness!”
In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made
In Memory of Margery Sudbay
Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Online donation:
Dedicate my donation
Memory of Margery Sudbay
Or print a donation form, please note that the donation is in the
Memory of Margery Sudbay
send to:
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
501 St Jude Place
Memphis TN 38105
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18