Maine's 'lobster lady' Virginia Oliver has died at 105

Virginia Oliver, known as Maine's 'lobster lady,' died at 105 after a lifetime trapping lobsters; she began at age 8 and continued working on the water for decades.

Virginia Oliver, widely known as the "lobster lady," died at age 105, according to a family obituary. She grew up in Rockland, Maine, and began trapping lobsters at about age 8 alongside her father and brother. Oliver worked on boats including one called the Virginia, once owned by her late husband, and continued tending traps well into later life. Her life and work drew attention from local institutions and state officials and were noted in books, articles and social media. Key facts: - She is reported as having died on Wednesday, according to a family obituary published Monday. - Oliver began trapping lobsters at about age 8 and worked in a male-dominated industry for decades. - She was known locally as the "lobster lady" and served as grand marshal of the Maine Lobster Festival parade. - She worked from boats including one named the Virginia that was once owned by her late husband. - In 2021 she told The Associated Press she enjoyed being on the water and intended to keep working as long as she could. - The article notes dock prices rose from about $0.28 per pound when she started to roughly $6.14 per pound, as reported. Summary: Her passing marks the close of a long personal chapter in Maine's lobster-fishing community and was acknowledged by the Maine Lobster Festival and state officials. Undetermined at this time.