Tenacious 101-Year-Old Lobsterwoman from Maine Shuns Retirement Plans
Virginia “Ginny” Oliver, unlike most people, has no intentions of retiring. For the majority of the past nine decades, she has dedicated her life to working on lobster boats, becoming a legendary figure in the industry.
Born in 1920 on Claredon Street in Maine, Ginny still resides in the same place. Together with her late husband, she acquired a house on the very street where she was born—a place that holds countless memories of raising her four children and cherishing visits from her grandchildren. Ginny’s remarkable lobstering journey began at the tender age of eight when she would accompany her father and brother on their boat, diligently collecting lobsters and sardines to be sold to local processing industries. They would also keep a portion of the catch for themselves, a tradition that Ginny proudly continues. Her personal favorite is a simple yet delicious Maine lobster roll—grilled bread, a touch of mayo, and nothing more.
Apart from her lobstering prowess, Ginny is renowned for her exceptional baking skills, particularly her delectable doughnuts, cakes, and brownies. Every week, her family gathers at her home to enjoy her famous baked beans—a cherished Sunday night ritual in the Oliver household. Despite her seemingly independent spirit, Ginny’s 75-year-old son, Max, recently returned home to lend a helping hand, although she insists she doesn’t require it. Known as “The Boss,” Ginny is a resilient individual with an infectious sense of humor. When her doctor questioned her about her continued lobstering at the age of 101, her response was resolute and unwavering: she does it because she chooses to.
Throughout her remarkable 90-year career, Ginny has been fortunate to experience few injuries. Surprisingly, one of her more significant wounds was caused by a crab rather than a lobster. While picking a few crabs to share with her son-in-law, one of them managed to slice her finger, resulting in seven stitches. Ginny chuckles as she recalls the incident, joking that if it hadn’t been for a bone in the way, the crab would have taken her finger completely. Concerned more about the state of Maine’s lobster population than herself, Ginny remains committed to her work.
When asked about her retirement plans, Ginny offers a firm and determined response: she will retire only when she passes away. With a zest for life that surpasses that of many individuals half her age, it’s safe to say that Ginny “The Lobster Lady” Oliver will continue making waves for years to come. To top it all off, she even has a yacht named in her honor—a fitting tribute to her remarkable journey.
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