Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

SPRUCE HEAD - Elsie B. Colby, 95, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Monday, September 21, 2015.

Born August 17, 1920, in Vermilion, Ohio, she was the daughter of John and Bertha Hayes Kuhl. Elsie grew up on a farm, and graduated from Wakeman High School in 1938. She later attended St. Luke's School of Nursing, Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated in 1942 as a Registered Nurse.

In 1943, Elsie enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a casualty nurse with the l01st Mobile VAC Unit in the European Theater during World War II, following Patton's Third Army. During her time in the service, Elsie met and married her first husband, Donald Smith of Thomaston, Maine.

Following Elsie's honorable discharge, the two made their home in Elyria, OH. Here she continued her career as a nurse, all while raising two daughters. In 1956 the couple relocated to Maine where Elsie was employed at Knox County General Hospital, and a third daughter was born. Mr. Smith passed away in 1964.

On October 10, 1972, Elsie married Ralph Colby. Together they have enjoyed their home on Spruce Head Island for close to 43 years.

All her adult life, Elsie has been a caregiver. Even after retiring in the mid l980's, she continued to give of her time, volunteering at the Knox Center for Long Term Care, and the Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen. She was an active member of Knox County District Nurses and the Nurses Guild as well as the Rockland Congregational Church. For many years she contributed to and helped organize the church craft fairs, dinners, and many other activities. She was also a member of the Wesaweskeag Historical Society.

Predeceased by her first husband, Donald Smith; her second husband, Ralph Colby just this year; Elsie is survived by her daughters, Diane Post and her husband Ashley of Spruce Head, Linda Butler and her husband Walter of Thomaston, Marlene Campbell and her husband Steve of Millinocket; two step-children, and their families, Helen Campbell and her husband Philip, of Kennebunk, and C. William Colby and his wife Barbara of Spruce Head; five grandchildren and their families, Leslie Morris, Barbara Post, Debbie Post, Mark Post, Howard Hunt, a brother Lawrence Kuhl and several nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October l, 2015 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. Interment will be private at Village Cemetery in Thomaston. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Spruce Head Community Hall and H.C. PO Box 323, Spruce Head, Me. 04859, or Nurses Guild Scholarship Fund, care of Janet Watkinson PO BOX 341, Owl's Head, ME. 04854.

To share a memory or condolence with Elsie's family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.