A graveside celebration of life for Margaret Irene Hughes Fish, 91, who passed away Dec. 31, 2021, will be held Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Seaview Cemetery, in Rockport.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to a local animal shelter.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

ROCKPORT — Margaret Irene Hughes Fish, fondly known by friends and family as “Boo,” enjoyed Christmas with her family, and then passed away peacefully at home on the final day of 2021 at the age of 91.

A truly positive and happy soul who was loved so dearly, Boo was born on October 11, 1930, in Bingham, Maine, to Hugh and Dorothy Hughes. Her family (including siblings Jack, Dale and Nancy) later moved to Rockland, Maine. As a young girl, Boo spent her summer days on the breakwater with her girlfriends. She stacked cans at Holmes Packing to earn money for movie tickets and roller-skating.

She graduated in 1949 from Rockland High School and soon after met and married, Erland “Erkie” Fish. After divorcing in 1963, Boo raised her five children in the very special neighborhood of families on Limerock Street in Rockport. She later teamed up with Capt. Elliot Wotton, partner, companion, and dear friend of many years, who passed away in 2000.

Boo waitressed at the Sail Loft Restaurant in Rockport for more than a decade while raising her family. Her daughters fondly remember the sight of their mother waving from the restaurant window as they trooped over to watch the 4 p.m. show of Andre the Seal. She was a steadfast, resilient and devoted mom to all of her children throughout even the most difficult of times when she lost her oldest child Jack to leukemia at the age of 18. With the help of many, but especially her mother, Dot, and sister Nancy, Boo was able to pick herself up and march on.
 
A clever and resourceful woman and gifted seamstress, she fashioned all her children’s dance/Halloween costumes, school day picture outfits and prom dresses, that could rival any store-bought ones. Genuine and fun loving, Boo had a habit of breaking into song at the least provocation. Favorites included, “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” among many others. Her wry humor, flashing brown eyes, quick wit, and big laugh were unforgettable. She loved antiquing, or “junking” as she called it and operated a secondhand shop in the old Spruce Head schoolhouse for many years. She restored furniture and was putting the “chic” into shabby before it was popular. 
 
A particular delight was spending time with her grandchildren. Whether it was the tradition of reading “The Night Before Christmas,” to Ryan and Connor, providing “gum money,” or frying up Connor’s mackerel catch, “Garni” was always there to support, teach and cheer them on. She and Jacqueline spent lots of time together creating a very special connection and wonderful memories to last a lifetime. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. 
 
Boo was predeceased by her parents; son Jack G. Fish; brothers, John “Jack” Hughes and his wife Florence “Hank,” and Dale Hughes and his first wife Carol. 

She is survived by sister Nancy Crockett; sister-in-law Jan Bretz Hughes; daughters Jan Fish and partner Darrell Long, Jody Russell and husband Nathan, Jaime Connell and partner Peter Bishop, Jonne O’Farrell and husband Rick; grandchildren Jacqueline Lipari and husband Jacob, Connor O’Farrell, Ryan O’Farrell; great-grandchildren Lucy, Dominic, Jack and Lane Lipari; nieces Brenda Garrison and Denise Miller; and nephew Sean Hughes; as well as her lifelong friends Helen Whittier and Elaine Benson. 
 
Boo’s family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers and everyone that was so helpful to Mom and our family. 

A notice will be published regarding a summer celebration of her life. 

To share a memory or story with Boo’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.