Obituary for Eileen Heather Chisholm (Coffin)
Eileen Heather Chisholm, 82, a resident of Goose Rocks Beach, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough following a period of failing health.
Heather, as she was known to everyone, was born in Boston on March 7, 1941. She was the daughter of Robert and Eileen Coffin. She grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, and graduated from Dedham High School. She went on to attend college briefly before being swept off her feet by a young Paul David Chisholm. They were married August 29, 1959, and began their lives together in Dedham. They spent many years there before eventually relocating to Hyannis, where Heather supported her husband’s career as Fire Chief. They eventually retired full time at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine, and spent winters as snowbirds in Florida.
Heather focused her efforts on creating a loving home for her children. When they grew older, she took on part time jobs working as a makeup consultant at Macy’s, and a hostess in local restaurants. She loved caring for her grandchildren and dogs on the beach in the summer. When on the beach she was either sunbathing, taking her grandchildren to the Big Rocks and the General Store for candy, or down to the river to swim and fish for crabs. We also can’t forget how she used to hide her dogs under the stairs to avoid the dog leash rules at GRB! Her perfect beach day was to have all her family, especially her grandchildren, playing in the sand and surf around her as she soaked up the sun.
Goose Rocks Beach, was always a constant in her life. She spent summers as a child there with her family and friends. As her own family grew it became a ritual on the last day of school to load the car with the kids and the dogs and move for the summer to their cottage at Goose Rocks, not returning to Massachusetts until the day before school started in the fall.
In the community, she was an active member of the Church in Cape Porpoise where she sang in the choir. She also served as a volunteer with Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.
She was predeceased by her husband, Paul David Chisholm.
Survivors include her children, Keith Chisholm and his companion Margaret Duque of Norwood, MA, Todd Chisholm of Arundel and his fiancé, Karen Johnston, Kerri Chisholm and her husband Michael of Kennebunkport, former daughter in law Michelle Chisholm of Franklin, MA; her grandchildren, Caitlyn, Jon, Tyler, and Caroline Chisholm; two sisters; Roberta Gorny and Dale Holland, and several nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Hope Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk ME, 04094, or to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, c/o Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME, 04074.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit Heather’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk.
Heather, as she was known to everyone, was born in Boston on March 7, 1941. She was the daughter of Robert and Eileen Coffin. She grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, and graduated from Dedham High School. She went on to attend college briefly before being swept off her feet by a young Paul David Chisholm. They were married August 29, 1959, and began their lives together in Dedham. They spent many years there before eventually relocating to Hyannis, where Heather supported her husband’s career as Fire Chief. They eventually retired full time at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine, and spent winters as snowbirds in Florida.
Heather focused her efforts on creating a loving home for her children. When they grew older, she took on part time jobs working as a makeup consultant at Macy’s, and a hostess in local restaurants. She loved caring for her grandchildren and dogs on the beach in the summer. When on the beach she was either sunbathing, taking her grandchildren to the Big Rocks and the General Store for candy, or down to the river to swim and fish for crabs. We also can’t forget how she used to hide her dogs under the stairs to avoid the dog leash rules at GRB! Her perfect beach day was to have all her family, especially her grandchildren, playing in the sand and surf around her as she soaked up the sun.
Goose Rocks Beach, was always a constant in her life. She spent summers as a child there with her family and friends. As her own family grew it became a ritual on the last day of school to load the car with the kids and the dogs and move for the summer to their cottage at Goose Rocks, not returning to Massachusetts until the day before school started in the fall.
In the community, she was an active member of the Church in Cape Porpoise where she sang in the choir. She also served as a volunteer with Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.
She was predeceased by her husband, Paul David Chisholm.
Survivors include her children, Keith Chisholm and his companion Margaret Duque of Norwood, MA, Todd Chisholm of Arundel and his fiancé, Karen Johnston, Kerri Chisholm and her husband Michael of Kennebunkport, former daughter in law Michelle Chisholm of Franklin, MA; her grandchildren, Caitlyn, Jon, Tyler, and Caroline Chisholm; two sisters; Roberta Gorny and Dale Holland, and several nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Hope Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk ME, 04094, or to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, c/o Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME, 04074.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit Heather’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk.