<p>Trina Kingsbury, whose life of accomplishments — as an artist, poet and award-winning horsewoman — was extraordinary by any measure, died at home.</p>
Trina Kingsbury, an Island character whose life of accomplishments — as an artist, poet and award-winning horsewoman to name just a few — was extraordinary by any measure, died Friday, August 31 at her home in Chilmark.
She was 74 and had been battling cancer since 1997.
She was born prematurely on Feb. 15, 1944, at home in Vineyard Haven in a snowstorm, the daughter of Craig and Gertrude (Turk) Kingsbury. She weighed less than four pounds at birth and her father had to ski to Tashmoo Farm that night to call the doctor. “Twenty one years later, this tiny creature was over six feet tall and stronger than could have been imagined. Growing up on that farm, going barefoot most of the time, nature and her family nurtured that little girl,” she recalled in her obituary which she wrote herself and which will be published in the Gazette this week, at her request.
Trina learned to ride at Tashmoo Farm and later became a master equestrian in Europe. She traveled the world and the country pursuing various jobs, but never for long and always returned home to the Vineyard. She lived on her property off Tea Lane and was a devoted animal lover and a natural history expert. Her crow quill pen and inks of rare and endangered Wildflowers of Martha’s Vineyard, and a companion Butterflies of Martha’s Vineyard, became well known prints. She was a perennial winner of the woodsman competition at the Agricultural Fair until she was sidelined by illness.
Archives at the Gazette are filled with letters to the editor and essays written by her on a range of topics, from Island friends who had died to her own hilarious escapades. In a 2010 letter about the election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Ted Kennedy, she wrote:
“It’s true. I’ve been trampled by horses, gored by an ox, completed three grueling days passing my exams with the British Horse Society with a ruptured disc, almost careened into an abyss several thousand feet in the Swiss Alps, escaped a mountain lion lurking in the Pyrenees, barely made it through a fence with a herd of irate bulls in hot pursuit and gone unscathed in barroom brawls that I conducted. I have survived cancer and have been fighting Lyme disease for a quarter century. I even survived a marriage, but this all pales to these last few weeks which have been more brutal than the Chinese water torture.
“I am referring to the Jan. 19 special election in Massachusetts.”
Ms. Kingsbury was buried in Chilmark. There will be no services.
Comments
R.I.P. Trina.
faith cape codR.I.P. Trina.
True Island free spirit,live
Bob Burg North Reading,, MATrue Island free spirit,live life her way but always returned home to the Island where life was her normal.
I love the picture of Trina
Lamie Ziegenhorn Chesapeake CityI love the picture of Trina here...Her face is serene and focused but she's about to throw an axe!!! Perfect. We were unlikely friends; I am short and calm and well you all know Trina!!! We mostly talked on the phone and sent each other gifts! She was a very generous person. Funny as as anything...I loved her voice and laugh! She seemed to grab life by the throat and get the most out of it! She was so talented in so many ways. One winter she was busy making Dandelion wine...she was very excited! When I saw her later that summer she offered me a small glass. It was white and milky and kind of looked like poison!! But she was so happy about it that I said a quick prayer and drank it down!! It kind of tasted like poison but I didn't die!!! Her love of her property was amazing. A tour was wonderful as she knew everything that was there. When ever my caller I.D. would show that Trina was calling. I knew I was in for an adventure. I miss her...and love her. When I heard she was gone I thought how she was an amazing Obituary writer and am so glad she wrote her own!!!
Trina I remember the crazy
Laura Bryant Vineyard Haven. ChilmarkTrina I remember the crazy times up-island with my parents to the beautiful moment you walked in the door with a hand knitted sweater you made for my newborn son! Character and heart both! Be at peace with God now!
I look at her wildflowers
Heather South EastonI look at her wildflowers print every day. She was a talented woman.
She showed me her design for
Tom Rush Kittery PointShe showed me her design for her own tombstone—the punch line was "You're standing on my stomach."
Bill King,George King ,Tebby
Jeff Baker Prospect MaineBill King,George King ,Tebby Tilton,George Manter,Lynn Murphy are waiting for you !
You were one of the Island people that made the Island great at the time I was there.
I still have the paintings you gave to me,even when I beat you in the chainsaw carving !
R.I.P. and watch out for your dad Craig ! 40 year washashore me !
Trina, I remember those days
Elena Mannes New York, NYTrina, I remember those days at Tashmoo Farm, riding and playing in the hayloft. They seem like yesterday and I"ll always remember you as such a unique and brave soul. RIP.
Just last week I was telling
Chip Coblyn OBJust last week I was telling a visitor about Trina Kingsbury’s exploits, all the while wondering about her whereabouts. Once I saw her throw an axe, I was hooked, but was equally inpressed by her art. It’s a far less interesting place without her.
Trina was one of a kind!I met
Kathleen Nasser OakbBluffsTrina was one of a kind!I met her at her home on Tea Lane 15 yrs ago. She agreed to sign my print & asked me for a ride to her truck with her dog & cat on leash! She showed me her barn & the art work she had been working on.She was a sweet but strong woman.so sad! She was too young!
I will always remember
Sam Low Oak BluffsI will always remember hilarious moments with you... just knowing you were around made me smile. This is sad. aloha
Trina was a good friend, she
albert fischet west tisburyTrina was a good friend, she was kind and generous. I shall miss her. RIP
Thank you Trina for many
Marjorie Mason ChilmarkThank you Trina for many homemade gift at Christmas for many years. There were jams , jellies beautifully crafted cards and jewelry, but the very best gift was our kitty Jadis who you brought to us as a forlorn and almost forsaken kitten. She grew into a magnificent beauty and has been our great friend, much like you. Love and peace Trina
To say that Trina was a
Mari Coastal New EnglandTo say that Trina was a unique individual is an understatement that would make her howl with laughter. With so many stories, so much personality and creativity in one hearty soul, she left an indelible mark on me ( an inky thumbprint ) when I was assigned to write a profile piece about her for another Vineyard newspaper. That article led to an unlikely friendship which endured until I had to move away from the Island. Trina and I packed her van with my possessions ( some of which she culled out for "special care" at her place on Tea Lane until I returned "home" )and helped me move to the mainland. I felt like crying the whole time but she would not let that happen. It's fair to say that Trina gave me a proper "Island wake" because deep down we both knew that I'd never be able to come home to the Vineyard again. I was also a tall, strong woman who stood out in a crowd and some folks labelled me "the second coming of Trina Kingsbury" as a kind of insult. I shared that with her and she became quite angry. "How dare they! There's only ONE of me!", she snarled and giggled, simultaneously. Indeed, there was only one Trina Kingsbury and I shall carry her memory with me for the rest of my days. Farewell, old friend.
Auntie T,
Colonel Samuel Kingsbury Millett (retited) Missoula, MTAuntie T,
Godspeed. I will miss our chats and visits. I will treasure your art and the memories of our time together. Growing up you were clearly the most fun aunt a nephew could have. By now, you are sitting around the kitchen table with Grandpa Craig and Grandma Turk enjoying a cup of tea.
You are missed.
Your loving nephew, Sammy
Trina, we'll miss you
Charlie Shabica Oak BluffsTrina, we'll miss you -Parties Up Island and my mother Eleanor's great stories of fun and frolics on with your dad Craig and friends in the 1930s.
To say Trina lived an
Wendy Arnell Brophy TisburyTo say Trina lived an outrageous/notorious life would be to short circuit her kindness and artistic talent.
As a former features editor at The Times I had both the pleasure of her writing and the weekly wonder if her words would make it across my desk in time for publication. It was often close, but she never failed me. In her words, “I’ll get it there Boss Lady!”
When I moved to Paris my first guest was Trina! The knock on the door was a true surprise — I never in a million years thought of Trina traveling outside the Vineyard, oh how wrong I was. Can you imagine going to the top of the Eiffel Tower with Trina, I did. We even had dinner at le Jules Verne restaurant. There are so many wonderful memories . . .
Bless her and may her next journey be gentler.
Trina, Thank you for the
Anthony Piland TisburyTrina, Thank you for the amazing butterfly poster and the dandelion wine. I am so glad that I got to know you! You were one of a kind. You always made me laugh.
Trina and my mother were
Tim Stobie V.H.Trina and my mother were close friends. I knew Trina in her wild years and then later. She was wonderful, just don't get on her bad side. Trina please rest in peace. GOD bless.
Trina made a lasting
Fred Thornbrugh Vineyard HavenTrina made a lasting impression at her house, after a youngster made comment on her manly appearance. She went upstairs and after 20 minutes came down the stairs in a burgundy velvet dress with a starched white collar and her hair tied up in ribbons! What a wonderful adventure to be in her element!
an island legend, we'll be
virginia yorke AQUINNAHan island legend, we'll be telling stories about Trina..the rest of our lives....hatchets and delicate flowers , dump days and wonderful, wicked stories....and then, as we all will pass, a stone on Ables Hill will remind the future of Trina....quietly tucked in, on a sweet, September day, an island legend in our time...
Beautifully put Ginny. <3
Max Butler LABeautifully put Ginny. <3
I knew Trina most of my life.
Jeanne (Mayhew) Gravley Rockledge, FloridaI knew Trina most of my life. We grew up and graduated from the Regional together and stayed in touch for many years afterwards.
Trina was a blend of many things. She was borderline genius, which showed in her arts, crafts, baking and gardening. She was well read, a talented equestrian and had a great love for children, animals, flowers and her Island.
She drank too much, was high spirited, strong and strong willed; rough and raw, eccentric, outspoken, argumentative and downright nasty at times. Trina was an independent soul fighting to live life on her own terms and she did that her entire life. She rarely showed her softer side but it was there.... in her tea parties, her art and with close friends.
Trina Kingsbury was one of the most unique individuals I've ever met. I will never forget her and I doubt many others will either.
Trina you have been through so much pain in your life. I am sad for that and sad that you had to leave us, but now we all pray that you are resting in peace.
Trina rest in peace. I knew
Mike Marshall sanford maineTrina rest in peace. I knew trina for years if she liked you she was a good friend.
She was tough on the outside and sweet person inside.
Godspeed to you Trina, the
Max Butler LAGodspeed to you Trina, the last of a wild and rare breed. Wherever you're going, they're not ready for you.
First met Trina in 1971.
Steve Krueger West Palm BeachFirst met Trina in 1971. Through the years I got to know her and she revealed the sweet inner person. Her homemade wine
was great. RIP Trina.
Tina was a sometimes reporter
David Lyman Camden, MaineTina was a sometimes reporter for the Gazette. This was 1963. We'd just opened The Moon Cusser Coffee House on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. It was a folk music mecca for the Vineyard that summer, and I guess Tina was the closest thing the newspaper had to being a folkie, so the Editor assigned her the job of doing a story. Tina fit right in, bare feet and all. She did the opening review, followed by a series of weekly reviews of the acts that performed there. That first summer featured many of folk music's most known talent, including a few locals who went on to even greater fame.
She was as zany as the rest of us at The Cusser, and she fit right in. She was also a good writer. I have tear sheets of her articles someplace around here.
RIP Trina , I will miss you,
Audrey Davenport EdgartownRIP Trina , I will miss you, you were a wonderful human being. i love you.
My mother, a quiet, polite
Sean Bagley Litchfield County, ConnecticutMy mother, a quiet, polite suburban housewife from Connecticut rented a house from Trina a couple of Summers many years ago. To say Trina was about as opposite a personality to mom’s is an understatement. She and Trina hit it off like opposite twins separated at birth. I never before saw mom take to another human so quickly completely— I like to think my mom welcomed her to the cosmos with open arms.
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