Arundel

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2017, Elizabeth Harwood Perkins Milligan, 96, passed on after what she called, “A Wonderful Life.”
The eldest of five, Elizabeth was born to Ruth Lake Pierce and Silas Henry Perkins on July 14, 1920 in Kennebunk, Maine. She graduated Valedictorian of her class at Kennebunk High School and was the captain of her school basketball team. It was at KHS where Liz met her life love and partner, Jonathan David Milligan. Following the completion of two years of college work in one year at the Fay School in Boston, Liz married Jon in 1940. Liz accompanied Jon during his World War II service years and the first of Liz’s three daughters was born during that war.
Liz returned to live and to work in Kennebunk, to participate in numerous service organizations, and to create a full and bustling lifestyle. In the 50’s following the devastating fires of 1947, Liz and Jon moved to Lands End in Kennebunkport where she spent many years developing Lands End Cottages which later evolved into a beautiful residential community. Liz and Jon bought the old Sagamore Inn at Gooch’s Beach and created The Sea Spray Motor Inn. She was the quintessential hostess as she loved to host parties. The Inn was a place Liz could meet friends, old and new, every day. Along with Jon, Liz had many dealings in real estate and owned and operated numerous businesses. During these years, Liz began to travel with Jon and sometimes other family and friends. She and Jon traveled the world, built and lived in a beautiful home on Montserrat, BWI for many years, and eventually spent winter months in Florida and the rest of the year in Maine.
Liz enjoyed knitting in her “spare time,” playing cards with friends, and particularly, she loved to do crossword puzzles and to read. Liz was a passionate golfer as she approached her retirement years, and right up to the time of her death, she talked about golfing and all of the courses she loved to play. The loss of her vision in later years brought her challenges that she had not experienced before. Thankfully, Liz’s many friends helped her with talking books, rides out, and visits in. She was accustomed to her independence and freedom, and she adjusted to this new way of life as gracefully as possible. Elizabeth was always quite regal, always the centerpiece of her family, and a true force. She was blessed with wonderful sisters, brothers, and friends. In fact, her very special life-long friendship with Nancy Spooner began at the age of 10 and continued to her final day. She will be greatly missed!
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Jonathan, and by her eldest daughter, Nancy Louise Milligan.
She is survived by her daughters Judith and Deborah and sons-in-law John and James Andrews, foster son Marlon Penn, by her grandchildren and their spouses/partners: Caroline &Chuck, Jonathan & Janie, Zeb & Katie, Abra, Dylan & Traci, Page & Luis, Kaleb, Jaryd, her great-grandchildren: Cole, Camden, Jack, Keegan, Max, and Violet, her siblings: Mary Jean Tarr, Priscilla Kenney, Norman Perkins, Henry Perkins and sister-in-law Sue Perkins, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends.
Elizabeth’s family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to all of Liz’s friends who enriched her life, to Dr. Arthur Scott whose loving and thorough medical care brought her all the way to the age of 96, and to Beacon Hospice who brought comfort and care to her in her final days.
A graveside service will be held at Hope Cemetery on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 2 pm with Rev. Burt Howe.
Should friends desire, donations in Elizabeth’s name would be appreciated at the Louis T. Graves Memorial Library, PO Box 391, Kennebunkport, ME 04046 or to a program of your choice.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Elizabeth’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.