CAPE ELIZABETH — Edith Mackinnon Eberhard, 97, died Aug. 20 at Maine Medical Center. She enjoyed living independently at her home near Kettle Cove until her death.

Born on May 19, 1914, in Weymouth, Mass., she was a daughter of Norman J. and Edith McFarland Mackinnon.

After she graduated from Morse High School in 1932 she studied music at New York University.

On June 29, 1940, she married Eugene P. Eberhard, and they lived in Bath, where they raised two children and she worked as a secretary to the vice president of Maine National Bank in Bath.

After her retirement, they moved to Cape Elizabeth in 1982.

At age 9 her father bought her first violin, which launched her lifelong love of music.

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In high school she and her sisters, known as the Mackinnon Trio, played on their own radio show. She was one of the original members of the community orchestra of the Portland Symphony and enjoyed playing with the orchestra for nearly 30 years, even serving for a time as the concert mistress. Sharing her love of music gave her pleasure throughout her life.

Intelligent, friendly, and gracious, she radiated warmth and welcome to all she met. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and above all, had a positive attitude and never a harsh word about anyone. She was devoted to her family.

She was predeceased by her husband Eugene, and her two sisters, Margaret McCarty and Isabel Galambos.

Surviving are her children, Suzanne Gabriel of Cape Elizabeth, Robert Eberhard, II, and his wife Fotini of Bath, and a brother, Norman Mackinnon of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada; her grandchildren Jocelyn Gabriel, Lauren Gabriel, and Liza Gabriel Ross and her husband Scott, and Robert Eberhard, III; and step grandchildren, Joshua and Elia Nichols.

A memorial service was held Aug. 24 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.

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