FREEPORT – Verneta M. McEachern, 97, of Sabattus, died Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Freeport Nursing Home. She was surrounded by members of her family, which until her passing, counted five generations. She was known affectionately by her family and friends as “Nin.”

She was born at Mount Desert Island, July 27, 1907, the daughter of Laura Richardson and Nathan Irving Smallidge. She grew up and attended school in Northeast Harbor, where she met George Daniel McEachern. They were married on Oct. 31, 1927, and had a daughter, Barbara, who was born on May 16, 1929.

She and her husband lived in Portland, where she worked as a private duty nurse, for nearly 50 years. After George’s death in 1982, she moved to Pinecrest Avenue, Sabattus. She resided there for the last 21 years, where she watched a generation of her neighbors grow up and have families of their own. She was loved by her neighbors, who knew her as “Mrs. Mac,” and by her friends at Pinecrest Apartments. As a driver until the age of 95, she was always eager to drive her younger friends to do their errands.

She was the picture of class, graceful and charming, giving and loving, dependable but independent. She loved music (the song, “Popsicle Toes,” was a favorite) and also dancing. Even in her late 90s she was known to shake a leg on the dance floor and her fox-trot could still cut a graceful figure.

Verneta was a living encyclopedia of family history. She loved telling stories about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and never missed an opportunity to relish a good memory, or to embrace the moment that would lead to a new one.

She cherished her involvement with the Greene Seniors, and was a committed Christian whose life reflected the spirit of compassion, love and service.

On her birthday in 2002, Portland Chief of Police Michael Chitwood presented her with the Key to the City of Portland in honor and recognition of her contributions to the residents of the city as a healthcare worker and volunteer.

She is survived by her sister, Lucy Smallidge; three grandchildren, Daniel Thompson, Scott Thompson, and Michele Moyen; her great-grandchildren, Chris Thompson, Martha Reese, Parker Adams, Troy Thompson, Evan Thompson, Nicole Stebbins, Natasha Moyen, and Brooke Moyen; and her great-great-grandchildren, Blythe Thompson, Forrest Reese, and James Stebbins.

She was predeceased by her husband and by her daughter, Barbara Thompson.

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