Courtesy of Boothbay Register 1998.

“It’s a wonderful life,” said Katherine Buck of Southport, the newest recipient of the Boston Post Cane award. Granted to the oldest resident of the town, Mrs. Buck grew up on the island and credits her longevity to, “Not worrying too much.”

 

“Just let it roll off your back,” she said. “Don’t let things get you down.” Mrs. Buck is an avid reader and also plays the piano. “I read and play the piano every day,” she said. She enjoys crossword puzzles and entertaining.

 

She is also full of memories and town history, having witnessed the installation
of the “new” swing bridge and several other changes over the years.

“Our life revolved around the [Southport] Town Hall and church,” said her daughter, Barbara Grover of Boothbay Harbor.

 

Mrs. Buck was born in her family’s home on Southport on August 15, 1902,
the daughter of Captain John and Clara Alley Thompson. This sixth generation Thompson was delivered by Dr. George Gregory and had a bit of a fighting welcome to the world.

 

“She was two pounds at birth. The doctors wrapped her in cotton batting and put her in a shoe box behind the stove to keep her warm,” said her daughter Barbara Grover. “They were afraid they were gong to lose her for a while. Soon they put her into bed with her mother and she just blossomed.”

 

Katherine Buck attended Southport School until ninth grade when she transferred to Boothbay Harbor High School’s School Street location from Southport. She said, “We didn’t need physical education. We got our exercise walking back and forth to school.” Daughter Barbara Grover said, “She enjoyed it though. She’d pick up friends along the way. On stormy days, her father would hire horse and buggy to get them to school.”

She also spent two years attending the Girls English High School in Boston, MA, and graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1920. After high school Mrs. Buck attended the Perry School of Kindergarten in Boston. She taught school in Southport, all eight grades, at the Lincoln School.

On June 25, 1925, she married Clifford Buck of Eastport. During his lifetime he was both Principal and teacher at Southport High School, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor High School, and Boothbay Region High School. After marrying, Katherine retired from teaching to raiser her family. She learned to drive when she was 18 and frequently took her husband’s school bus to town if there were no other vehicle available.

She has four children: Barbara Grover of Boothbay Harbor; Robert Buck of Southport; and John Buck of Yarmouth. John’s twin brother, Bill, died of a stroke in 1989. She has eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

 

Mrs. Buck has always been very active, chairing the Cancer Drive and volunteering for the Red Cross. She was a volunteer for Civilian Defense during World War II and was on plane spotter detail. She was a member of the Southport Grange, the Union Club, and the Southport Mothers Club. She was a charter member of the Lincoln County Republicans Women’s Club and worked on many local, state, and national political campaigns. Mrs. Buck was also a member of the Charles E. Sherman American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

 

Her son, Robert, with whom she now lives, said she has been blessed with good friends and neighbors. “She has always had a good attitude. She has had tragedy in her life, but has overcome it,” Robert said.

 

Barbara’s husband Robert Grover had this to say, “She has never had a bad word. She always sees the best in everything.”

 

At 95, Mrs. Buck is quite spry, and she was happy to accept the award. Southport Selectmen Eugene Huskins, Gerry Gamage, and Mary Lou Koskela presented the award with her family members. It was a true celebration of life.