Edwina Needham

Edwina Osgood Needham
Holden
Edwina Osgood Needham, born April 27, 1935, passed away peacefully in her home on October 16, 2023, surrounded by her family. Her unwavering kindness, and selfless concern for the well-being of others went unmatched for eighty-eight years.
Edwina’s early years were spent alongside her parents, Florence Dumont Osgood and Edwin Jackson Osgood, in their family businesses. Edwina helped her parents at the “The White House Inn” and “The Pines” restaurant in Milford, Maine, and there she learned the importance of “giving back.” This hospitality spirit guided her throughout life, always welcoming and caring for others more than herself, and helping to provide the necessities in life for those less fortunate.
Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Edwina worked in her younger years at the Old Town Woolen Mill. Thereafter, she placed all her energy and love into raising her family with her beloved husband Richard Paul Needham. In 1977 she became a cherished member of the Gaetani Eyecare team, managing the office and greeting patients with her warm smile. However, Edwina was best known for her exceptional skills in the kitchen – especially baking. She was a devoted community member, volunteering her time, skills and energy to organize, cook, and clean up for countless community and grandchildren-related school and sporting events. She and Richard especially loved volunteering time and enjoying the fellowship of the Stillwater Federated Church and its affiliated “Friendship Club”. For a few seasons, she even provided baked goods for her son’s restaurant in Bar Harbor.
For the past 27 years Edwina lived an extremely busy, action-filled, and eventful life with her “families” and thoroughly enjoyed the chaos and all the excitement that went with it. She loved every single minute! When she turned 80, Edwina began hosting at her daughter’s restaurant in Bangor, where she was adored by customers and the wonderful staff.
Her favorite place of all was Cold Stream Pond (CSP), where she spent summers for most of her life. The camp was a serene gathering place where she and Richard loved to congregate, entertain, cook, and relax with all of their family and many friends. CSP always had an open-door policy and Edwina was thrilled to host generations of family and friends for over 60 years.

She will be deeply missed, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to know her, including her beloved pets.

Edwina was predeceased by her husband Richard, her sister Valedah Pavan, her son Gregory, and two grandchildren, Tiffany Thomas and Nathan Needham. She is survived by Greg’s children Patrick and wife Nicki, Daniel, and Tara McCool; her daughter Brenda Eddy of Auburn, and her husband, Dana, and their children Elizabeth Eddy and husband DJ Sipe, Eric and wife Katie; daughter Lisa Leonard and husband Kent of Holden, and their children Joseph, Jacob, Jaron, Jackson, and Julianne; son Jeffrey and wife Terri of Green Lake, and their children Rachel Hicks, and Joey Allen; her sister Connie Garrett of Arkansas; 16 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews of three generations.
The family gratefully acknowledges the wonderful staff of Gentiva. Also, a deeply heartfelt thank you to Dr. Carl Ramsay.
Friends and relatives are invited to a Celebration of Life service at 2PM, Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Stillwater Federated Church, 335 Bennoch Rd, Stillwater. Private family graveside service will directly follow at Lawndale Cemetery.
Those wishing to remember Edwina in a special way, may make a charitable donation to Meals on Wheels – Eastern Area Agency on Aging, 240 State Street, Brewer, ME 04412, or donate at eaaa.org.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com