PRESQUE ISLE – Frances Arlene McKay, 87, went home to be with her Lord Sept. 23, 2009, at her home on 10 Yale St., with her husband by her side. David and Frances celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary, Sept. 16, 2009. She was born March 30, 1922, in Mars Hill, the eldest daughter of John H. and Viva (York) Graves. Frances was a 1939 graduate of Aroostook Central Institute, now Central Aroostook High School. Frances and her husband attended State Street Baptist Church, Presque Isle. She was employed as a bookkeeper at several Presque Isle companies, including the long-term ones: Archie Bishop & Sons Pontiac Dealership for seven years, 10 years at Maine Farmers Exchange, and lastly, at Northern Maine Distributors. Being the oldest girl in her family, Frances often quit her job to care for her mother before seeking other employment. Frances married Charles David McKay, Sept. 16, 1957. They had one son born May 9, 1959, who was stillborn. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, George W. and Norma Graves of Winter Haven, Fla., and Presque Isle; three sisters, Joyce Stearns and her husband, Carl, of Bangor, Elizabeth Merkel and S. Ann Smith, both of Mars Hill; and sisters-in-law, Gerry Townsend and her husband, Estle Townsend, of Decatur, Ind., and Barbara Peterson and her husband, Watson, of Fort Myers, Fla. Having no children to raise of their own, David and Frances had several “special” nieces and nephews on both sides of their families. They are located in Maine, but mostly out of state in places such as Florida; Indiana; New York; North Carolina; Ontario, Canada; Texas; and Virginia. Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Kings Grove Cemetery, Mars Hill, with the Rev. Michael Shaw, of State Street Baptist Church, officiating. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to State Street Baptist Church, P.O. Box 826, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
FRANCES GRAVES MCKAY
