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Virginia 'Lobster Lady' Oliver Dies at 105 After Nearly a Century on Maine's Waters

Tributes hailed a pioneering lobsterwoman whose resilience and visibility made her a symbol of Maine's maritime culture.

Overview

  • A family obituary confirmed Oliver died Wednesday at 105, and a friend said she passed of natural causes at a hospital.
  • She began hauling traps as a child with her father and fished for more than 90 years, continuing until about age 103.
  • For years she held Maine's oldest active lobstering license, standing out in a traditionally male industry.
  • Her story reached national audiences through books and a documentary, elevating a local working life to broader recognition.
  • Survivors include her children and two grandchildren, and a graveside service is planned in June.