Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

MATINICUS - Victoria Boothby Ross of Matinicus Isle and Yonkers, New York, passed away peacefully at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport on September 6, 2009. She suffered a stroke on Matinicus on August 17th.
Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Benton Harbor Michigan, Victoria graduated from Benton Harbor High School as class valedictorian. She received a B.A. in philosophy from Barnard College and was an early recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship. Following her graduation from Barnard, Victoria studied at the Old Vic School in London.
In 1967, Victoria brought her children to Matinicus Island for the summer. From that summer on, the family summered regularly on the island, and spent several Christmases there as well. She regularly played the organ at the Matinicus Congregational Church. Victoria recently helped donate a portion of property on Matinicus to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
Victoria led a colorful and varied career in the theatre, which included Broadway performances in "Stepping Out", "Stanley" and "Waiting in the Wings". She performed in regional theaters around the country from summer stock in Ogunquit to a national tour of "Beethoven's Tenth" starring Sir Peter Ustinov. She could be seen regularly on "All My Children" in the 1980s, and had occasional roles in "Guiding Light" and "Another World". In films, she appeared in "Goodbye Girl", "Green Card" and most recently, as an elegant Matriarch in "Nanny Diaries". Favorite roles included Hannah in "Spitfire Grill", Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations", Amanda in "Glass Menagerie", Kate in "All My Sons" and several roles in Shakespeare's plays.
Victoria is survived by her children, Sarah, Deborah, Harry and James; grandchildren, Makala, Nora, Ella, Harry, Todd, Alice and Colin; her brother, Jim; niece, Johanna; several cousins; and her dear friend, Nahasta.
A memorial service will be held for Victoria on Matinicus next summer. Donations may be made in her honor to: Matinicus Island Rescue, c/o P. O. Box 198, Matinicus, ME 04851; Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers, P. O. Box 122, Rockport, ME 04856, or the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, online at www.mcht.org.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.