FALMOUTH – Madeline Dorothy Locke, 80, of Falmouth and Boca Raton, Fla., passed away peacefully Oct. 27, 2007, surrounded by her adoring husband and family at her home, after a long and courageous struggle with supra nuclear palsy. Madeline was born June 2, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Anna and Louis Klech, and moved to Maine with her parents at the age of six months. She was raised in Bangor and graduated from Bangor High School in 1945. Madeline met her husband, Charles E. Locke, while he was stationed at Dow Air Force Base, Bangor. They were married in Bangor after a two-year courtship. A highlight of their life together was the celebration of their golden wedding anniversary. She and her husband founded Locke Office Products, Inc., Bangor, in 1960, which grew to be one of the largest office product companies in New England. They sold the business in 1987 and then made their home in Boca Raton, Fla. Madeline had many varied interests. Mostly she loved to spend time with her family. Madeline and her husband traveled extensively, enjoying many trips and cruises around the world. She did countless hours of volunteer work in clubs and charities in Maine and Florida. She especially loved to play bridge and was an accomplished player. She is survived by her devoted husband, Charles; daughter, Judith Locke of Stratford, Conn.; son, Jeffrey and his wife, Elizabeth; grandchildren, Christopher, Emily and Robert Locke of Boca Raton, Fla.; son, John and his wife, Maria; and grandchildren, Chelsea, Jonathan and Anna Locke of Falmouth; granddaughter, Michelle Clement of Newburgh; grandson, Joseph Locke of Bangor; and great-grandchildren, Paul and Taylor Clement of Newburgh and Gabriel Locke of Bangor. Madeline is also survived by her loving brother, Carroll Klech and wife, Patricia, of Shelton, Conn.; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, James, in 1977. The Locke family would like to give special thanks to the VNA Hospice and the caregivers that assisted Charles and the family during Madeline’s long illness. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, with the Rev. James Dalton Thompson officiating. Interment will be after at Pine Grove Cemetery, next to the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106 or to a hospice of one’s choice. Those wishing to send a tribute in Madeline’s memory may do so at www.mem.com
MADELINE DOROTHY LOCKE
