LEOLA J. MCATEE

CONNOR – Leola J. McAtee, 49, passed away and went to be with the Lord Jan. 14, 2006, after a brief struggle with cancer. She was born Aug. 30, 1956, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Mikeal J. and Ola K. (Haines) McAtee. Leola graduated from Caribou High School, Class of 1974. After graduation, she attended the Universities of Maine at Presque Isle and Orono. While pursuing her studies in education, she did volunteer work with children at the Connor School and was employed by Mecon Manufacturing Co. Leola was hired into the position of Chapter One reading teacher and at the same time was responsible for starting up and maintaining the current school library. Leola’s passion for reading was evident in the quality and quantity of great literature and informative books that she acquired for the Pre K-6 school library. Leola also worked with the students in many innovative and creative educational projects including, tracking the famous Ididirod Sled Dog Race, which takes place each year in March, supervised students writing school newspapers, as well as many other reading and writing projects. For the past several years Leola has also been the technology coordinator for the E.U.T. Schools. Leola has written many grants, which have provided the schools with individual computers for all students and extensive technology equipment and support to enhance the teaching and learning process. Besides her family, students and friends, Leola extended her expertise and passion for books and computers to her colleagues and to educators in other schools. Anyone who walked away from Leola’s workshops, left with a great desire to share with their children/students the joy of reading and writing and/or technology. Leola was committed and dedicated to creating life long learners. She got great pleasure and personal satisfaction in reading and journal writing with her nephews and nieces, Aaron, Mikeal, Larae and Meagan; and extended family members, Noah and Adam Paige. Leola was an avid scrap booker, stamper and craftsperson. Leola used her talent and computer skills in digital photography to create personal family calendars, slide shows, and scrapbook photo albums, as well as personal enjoyment. She was a knowledgeable, caring individual, a great problem solver using her positive intuitions to provide solutions for the situation at hand. She was a dedicated and supportive member and officer of TOPS Club Inc. of Caribou for several years. Leola is well known by members of chapters through out the state having attended many local, regional and state functions each year, earning a high respect from those acquainted with her. As a Bible believing Christian, Leola was a member of the New Life Baptist Church in Presque Isle. She is survived by her mother, Ola of Caribou; three sisters, Ruth of Connor, Lynda Hoff and her husband, Pat, of Hampden and Helen Engstrom and her husband, Warren, of Connor: one sister-in-law, Nancy McAtee of Connor; two nephews, Aaron Hoff and wife, Tiffany, of North Carolina, Mikeal Engstrom of Connor; and two nieces, Larae Hoff of Hampden and Meagan Engstom of Connor; and one great-niece, Christine Hoff of North Carolina. Leola was predeceased by her father, Mikeal in 1998; and her brother, Wayne in 2002. She will be dearly missed by very close friends; Scott and Catherine Paige and their sons, Noah and Adam, Edi Thibodeau, Irma Hitchcock; and her best friends and sisters, Ruth and Helen. She will be forever loved and remembered by her family, friends, colleagues, students and many TOPS pals. Friends may call, 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the New Life Baptist Church, until time of services, which will be held at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Joe Mortland, pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family or to a library of one’s choice to purchase a children’s book in Leola’s memory. Envelopes may be obtained at the church. Arrangements are by the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.