Marilyn “Woodsie” Woods Entwistle, 91, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Sugarloafer, beach bum, ardent Democrat, artist, and Golden Rule enthusiast, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Yarmouth surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Boston to Polly (Nevins) and William Woods, Woodsie grew up in the Montserrat neighborhood of Beverly, Mass.

Voted “Best Artist” at Beverly High School, Woodsie earned her Art degree from Colby Sawyer College in New Hampshire. After graduation, she and a college and high school friend moved to Montclair, N.J., into an apartment with four other young women who all became Woodsie’s lifelong friends. Together, they enjoyed many adventures including a cross-country road trip in a Ford convertible. 

Back in Beverly for a weekend, Woodsie ran into high school friend Bob Entwistle, who became the love of her life. Through their 57-year-marriage, Woodsie and Bob built a life filled with love and family and no shortage of traditions.

Raising their family on Linebrook Road in Ipswich, Woodsie and Bob loved taking their six children to Crane’s Beach, the Busy Bees for fried clams, and Martha’s Vineyard. Another family tradition was weekend trips to the family camp at Sugarloaf, where the trademark Entwistle family orange Volkswagen bus was loaded up with kids, friends, and Fern the dog. Those trips frequently ended with kids and guests having to get in the “way back” to provide traction for the drive up the final snowy hill to camp. 

Woodsie loved to ski. From her undergraduate days skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine to her honeymoon in the Green and White Mountains to winters at Sugarloaf with her family, Woodsie loved the slopes and skied until age 87.

Woodsie believed that the outdoors was the best medicine. If you were sick, bored, or had other grievances, Woodsie’s advice was to “go outside and run around, you’ll feel better.” Over time, all six children came to realize its benefits.

A talented artist, Woodsie worked professionally as a draftwoman, but many will remember her creativity that infused daily life and traditions. Halloween and the Sugarloaf Easter Parade were opportunities for Woodsie’s imaginative expression.

Woodsie hand-painted Easter eggs for her kids and friends every year, and she continued the tradition with her 13 grandchildren, who all received Easter eggs that humorously depicted a recent triumph or travail.

In their later years, Bob and Woodsie moved from Massachusetts to Naples, Maine, where they enjoyed being closer to skiing, having a large vegetable garden, and where Bob was finally able to talk Woodsie into letting him buy a sit-down lawn mower. Their four daughters soon followed their parents to Maine, all settling and raising their families in the Portland area.

Woodsie is survived by her six children and their spouses: Martha MacKay of Cape Elizabeth, Mike Entwistle of Salt Lake City, Utah, Suzie Entwistle of Portland, Bert Entwistle of East Falmouth, Mass.; Amy Hunter of Yarmouth and Sarah Adams of Cape Elizabeth; 13 grandchildren, a cousin, nieces and a nephew.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bob Entwistle, and her brother, Bill Woods.

Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Woodsie’s life on Saturday, April 13, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Saltwater Grille, South Portland. Brief remarks by Woodsie’s children will take place at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please go outside and run around with your friends and family.