KATHERINE ‘KAY’ MCKENNEY

FORT FAIRFIELD – Katherine “Kay” Haines McKenney, 83, lifelong resident of Fort Fairfield, died Nov. 6, 2009, at Presque Isle Nursing Home. She was born May 16, 1926, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Theodore Linwood Haines and Opha Duncan Haines. She was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1944, and Westbrook Junior College, Portland, 1946. Potato farming was central to her life. She was a descendent of Joseph Wingate Haines, who settled in Fort Fairfield, in 1847. In her youth, she actively worked on her father’s farm, helping during harvest and during the growing season. After college she worked as a clerk at Nightingale Implement Co. After marrying Charles McKenney in 1949, she devoted most of her time to helping her husband farm and raising her two sons. She taught them to play baseball and enjoyed watching their games, rarely missing any of them. Later in life she had the pleasure of watching her grandchildren perform. She loved watching her grandson play baseball and was proud of his leading his high school team to two state championships and his selection to the Maine Sunday Telegram’s State All Star Team in 2002. She enjoyed watching her granddaughter’s many ballet performances. Kay also provided support to many charitable and social organizations. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. She was a past member of more than 50 years and six time worthy matron of the former Goodwill Chapter No. 85 of Order of Eastern Star, Fort Fairfield, and later in life was a member of Lunar Chapter No. 126 Order of Eastern Star, Presque Isle. She was a member of Past Worthy Matrons Club and past district deputy of district 19 of Grand Chapter of Maine. She was a charter member of Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 6187, Fort Fairfield; a past director of the United Way; and a director of Fort Fairfield High School Alumni Association. She worked on numerous successful high school class reunion committees and was especially proud of her class’ 50th reunion turnout and program. She was keenly interested in local history and current events. Since 1939 she enjoyed keeping scrapbooks with clippings of local, state, national and world events, plus clippings pertaining to her sons, grandchildren and friends. She was instrumental in the restoration of Haines Maple Grove Cemetery and supported the restoration of the nearby Friends Church, which she attended with her grandparents during her childhood. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Charles of Caribou; two sons, Peter and his wife, Susan, of Cumberland, and David and his wife, Deanie, of Fort Fairfield; her grandchildren, Katherine Elise McKenney of London and Cpl. Colin McKenney, U.S. Marine Corps, now serving in Iraq; her brother, Paul Haines of Caribou; and nieces, Debbie and Karen. She was predeceased by her parents. The family expresses deep appreciation to the staff of Presque Isle Nursing Home and other caregivers who have provided wonderful care to Kay during the last five years. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, with the Rev. Mark Babin officiating. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held immediately after the interment service at VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, those who choose may contribute in memory of Kay to Fort Fairfield High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 201, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742; Friends Church Restoration Fund; Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St., Fort Fairfield, ME 04742; or to a charity of their choice.