BELFAST – At 2 p.m. March 22, 2006, Alberta Ruth Keene left her earthly residence and took up eternal residence on Gold Street in Heaven. “MeMe” was born Jan. 9, 1925, the third child of Lorenzo and Beatrice (Tilley) Skinner in Ashland. MeMe spent her early years living between Ashland and River John, Nova Scotia, Canada. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1943. She and Lowell E. Keene were married in Ashland on Jan. 17, 1946, recently celebrating 60 years as each others best friend. They moved to Belfast in 1951 and together resided on Swan Lake Avenue until MeMe’s departure. She partnered with her family in raising poultry and fresh farm produce for many years. MeMe possessed many talents: she owned and operated a neighborhood ice cream parlor and Alberta’s Yarn Shop. In her leisure time she was an excellent cook, enjoyed reading, knitting, sponsoring missions children and spending quiet time with the Lord. But MeMe’s passion was her children. She found special time for each of them and she taught them lasting Godly principles – “train up a child” (Proverbs 22:6) and “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). MeMe was also an active participant at Searsport Full Gospel Church, Searsport. Alberta is loved and missed by her husband, Lowell; her sons, Dana Keene and wife, Cindee, David Keene and wife, Gail. She also leaves five daughters, Dawn Berry, Nancy Seekins and husband, Harold, Deborah Keene, Marie Keene, Mary Lou Hutchins and husband, Randy, all from the Belfast area. She is remembered fondly by grandchildren, Cory Seekins and wife, Heidi, Jacob Hutchins and wife, Trish, Brooke and Evan Hutchins, all of Swanville and Daniel Keene of Belfast; great-grandchildren, Reagan Seekins, Wesley and Samuel Hutchins, all of Swanville. Her siblings include, Bert Skinner and wife, Beatrice, of Belfast, Alex Skinner and wife, Anna May, of Tewksbury, Mass., Dana Skinner and wife, Helen of Hampden, Naomi Crosby and husband, Douglas, of Stockton Springs; and brother-in-law, Frederick Keene of Belfast. She also leaves a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Pauline (Skinner) Sylvester on April 4, 2005.
ALBERTA RUTH KEENE
