Maine's Legendary 'Lobster Lady' Virginia Oliver Dies at 105 After 97-Year Fishing Career
The fishing community in Maine and beyond is mourning the loss of Virginia "Ginny" Oliver, a remarkable woman who spent nearly a century hauling lobsters from the Atlantic waters and became known affectionately as the state's "Lobster Lady". Oliver passed away on 21 January at the age of 105, as confirmed by an obituary released by her family earlier this week.
A Life Defined by the Sea
Oliver's extraordinary journey in the lobster industry began when she was just eight years old, working alongside her father and older brother. From that tender age, she developed a profound love for the maritime life that would sustain her for 97 years. "I like doing it – I like being along the water," she told the Associated Press in 2021, reflecting on her career in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. "And so I'm going to keep on doing it just as long as I can."
True to her word, Oliver continued fishing until she was 103, only stopping after a fall. Her daily routine involved rising before dawn and using small fish, locally called poagies, as bait to lure lobsters from her boat, the Virginia – a vessel first owned by her late husband.
From Humble Beginnings to Widespread Acclaim
Over her long career, Oliver witnessed dramatic changes in the lobster trade. When she started, lobster was considered a humble, working-class food, selling for just 28 cents per pound. By the end of her life, it had transformed into a prized delicacy, with prices soaring to $6.14 per pound – an increase of more than twentyfold.
As word of her incredible tenure spread, Oliver became a local and national icon. Her story was featured in documentaries, covered by major US television networks, and even inspired children's books, including one titled The Lobster Lady. She earned an honorary invitation to join Great Britain's Cardiff Royal Naval Association and was once presented with a special recognition by Maine Governor Janet Mills on her birthday.
Her fame even reached Hollywood, with Mark Hamill – famed for his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars – celebrating her tenacity on social media. The Maine Lobster Festival, which once named her the grand marshal of its parade, honoured her as "more than a local icon" and "a living piece of Maine's maritime history".
A Spirited and Unforgettable Character
Despite the attention, friends and family remember Oliver as remaining humble yet fiercely spirited. She maintained a distinctive personal aesthetic, wearing lipstick and earrings every day she went out on the boat because, as she said, "you never know who you are going to see."
Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barbara Walsh, a friend of Oliver's, paid tribute to her indomitable spirit. "She believed in living, laughing and doing what she loved," Walsh said. "She was sassy and spirited, always declaring on land and at sea, 'I'm the boss.' Sail on, sweet Ginny. May your spirit forever soar above the sea."
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Governor Janet Mills hailed Oliver's life as "amazing" and expressed hope that her memory would inspire "the next century of hardworking" fishers in Maine. While some may view Oliver's story as part of a broader trend of Americans working well past traditional retirement age due to economic pressures, her own words and actions suggest a deeper, more personal motivation – a genuine passion for the sea and her craft.
Oliver is survived by her children and grandchildren. Her legacy endures not only in the memories of those who knew her but also as a testament to dedication, resilience, and the enduring human connection to the maritime world.
