Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - Marie H. 'Sis' Reed, 86, a lifelong resident here, died Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport, following a brief illness.
Born in Rockland, May 16, 1924, she was the daughter of Lorenzo and Felicia Plantier Dodge. Educated in local schools, she was a 1942 graduate of Rockland High School.
Sis was first employed in the office of van Baalen's in Rockland.
May 17, 1944, she married Carl S. Reed, Jr. in Rockland. The couple made their home in Rockland and after the birth of their sons, Sis became a devoted homemaker and mother.
When her sons were older, in school, and more self sufficient, she returned to work. In 1955 she began work as Secretary of Public Works for the City of Rockland. Later, and at the wooing of then Rockland City Assessor, Osgood Gilbert, she moved to City Hall, serving as Assistant to the Assessor until retiring in 1987.
Shortly after her retirement, Sis adopted her first 'traffic island' at the intersection of Upper Park Street and Payne Avenue, the first of several she would annually plant with beautiful flowers. She was often seen tending these beautification projects during the summer months, throughout her beloved Rockland. She was also instrumental in placement of Flower Baskets on street poles in the city.
For more than 20 years, Sis served as a member of the Rockland Parks Commission, and was honored in 1991 for her service, by the people of Rockland naming the park at the entrance of the Rockland Breakwater, Marie H. Reed Memorial Park.
Sis always held a special affection and concern for animals. Her beloved Shih-Tzu, Chloe, went to her eternal rest last Wednesday, the day before Sis entered the hospital.
She was a long-time communicant of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Rockland.
Other than her husband Carl in 1996, Sis was predeceased by two brothers, Edward Dodge and Henry Dodge. She is survived by two sons. Dr. David A. Reed of Washington, DC, and Edward H. 'Ted' Reed of Rockland; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 19, 2010, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland. Interment will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery, Warrenton Avenue, Rockport.
Although flowers are welcome, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.