HOULTON – Georgia H. Ketch, 80, died May 11, 2009, at a local hospital. She was born June 3, 1928, in Houlton, daughter of Algernon Ezekiel and Leah (Bamford) Holden. Georgia graduated from Houlton High School, Class of 1946 and attended Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y., majoring in music before transferring to University of Rochester, where she graduated with a major in languages in 1950. After attending a business program at Radcliffe College that summer, Georgia returned to Houlton and worked at FA Peabody Co. She met a young man who had recently moved to Houlton from Presque Isle to work at Sherwin Williams Store. She and Jack Ketch were married Sept. 17, 1960. When Georgia and Jack started their family, she got done work at FA Peabody so she could devote herself completely to lovingly raising her daughters, Ginny and Nancy and caring for Jack and their home. Georgia’s silent hard work and unselfishness made it possible for Jack to be actively involved in the community, supporting his efforts with great pride. She introduced Ginny and Nancy to music early in life and made education a priority for her girls, while exposing them to a variety of programs and organizations, encouraging them to find and follow their desires and to become strong independent women like she was. She was thrilled to become a grandmother and cherished her three grandchildren, Ben, Leah and Noah. She found great joy in all of their accomplishments and treasured her time with them whether at home, here in Houlton, or on some special family trips to Boston and Storyland. Georgia loved passionately and was fiercely loyal. Her passion and loyalty carried over to her hobbies and pastimes, including music, bowling, crossword puzzles and most notably the Red Sox. She followed the Red Sox faithfully from the time she was a young woman. Her favorite player was Ted Williams who she watched play numerous times, including seeing him hit a home run. She would often take her vacations in Boston to attend games. The visits to Fenway were less frequent after her family came along, but she was able to attend one last time in celebration of her 75th birthday. She loved classical music and enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk. She followed figure skating and enjoyed attending skating shows in Portland, including one in April of this year. Georgia loved her weekly bowling league and made many special friends there during the years. She was a constant in many people’s lives and will be greatly missed by many. Georgia is survived by her loving husband, Floyd Jack Ketch; her cherished daughters, Jacqueline Virginia “Ginny” Ketch and her husband, Daryl Batoosingh, of Scarborough and Nancy Patricia Ketch of Houlton; her three precious grandchildren, Benjamin Edward Batoosingh, Leah Ann Batoosingh and Noah Jack Batoosingh, all of Scarborough; her brothers, William Holden and his wife, Mim, of Satellite Beach, Fla., and James Holden and his wife, Dale, of Houlton; her sister-in-law, Phyllis Stitham of Fredericton, New Brunswick; her brother-in-law, Clyde “Bud” Ketch and his wife, Anne, of Windham; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister-in-law, Barbara Berce Holden; and brothers-in-law, John Stitham, and Eugene Ketch and his wife, Betty. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Dunn Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Jessie Drysdale officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Georgia’s memory to Houlton High School Alumni Association or Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences www.dunnfuneral.com.
GEORGIA H. KETCH
