DOVER-FOXCROFT – Marie-Luise Piel Kemp, 98, of Dover-Foxcroft, passed away Aug. 25, 2012, as the result of a sudden illness. Marie-Luise was born Feb. 20, 1914, in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of Marie Muessen Piel and Henry G. Piel, who was the brewmaster at Piel Brothers Brewery in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Marie-Luise, and her two brothers, Elmar and Michael Piel, grew up on Long Island, N.Y. Much of their time as children was spent traveling with their parents throughout Europe, stopping to visit family in Switzerland and Germany, or at their summer home at Parlin Pond near Jackman. Marie-Luise graduated from Packer Collegiate Institute, a private girls’ school, and attended Traphagen School of Fashion Design before studying at various houses of fashion in Paris. During World War II, Marie-Luise worked at Grumman Aircraft Company on Long Island, N.Y., as a riveter and draftsman, and it was there that she met aircraft engineer, Percy N. Kemp, who was to become her husband and father of their five children. After the war, Percy started Dyna-Model Products Co., where the two worked manufacturing model airplanes of World War II, boats, and model railroad accessories. During the early 1950’s, Marie-Luise also helped Percy open a very successful marina in Oyster Bay, N.Y., where they sold White Boats from Old Town. In 1959, the family moved to an old farm they renovated in East Sangerville, where they continued to run Dyna-Model Products Company. After Percy’s death, Marie-Luise moved to Dover-Foxcroft where she enjoyed volunteering at Mayo Regional Hospital. In recent years, Marie-Luise enjoyed traveling to Germany to visit family, and to China, Mexico, Greece, and throughout Europe with friends. She loved music and was thrilled to support the Arcady Music Society’s efforts to bring musicians from throughout the world to Dover-Foxcroft and other rural areas of Maine. Marie-Luise delighted in planning and preparing gourmet meals and took great pleasure in cooking special foods for fund-raisers for East Sangerville Grange, Piscataquis YMCA, and Arcady Music Society. Marie-Luise was a member of Mayo Regional Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, East Sangerville Grange, and served on the board of directors of Arcady Music Society and Piscataquis YMCA.
Marie-Luise was predeceased by her husband, Percy N. Kemp; and her two brothers, Elmar V. Piel of Northfield, Vt., and H. Michael Piel of Abbot Village. She is survived by her five children, Sara Jane and husband, Daniel Boss, of Veazie, Louise and husband, Stephen Ringle, of Dover-Foxcroft, Thomas N. Kemp of East Sangerville, Maria and husband, Dag Horn, of Deep River, Ontario, Eliza and her husband, John Franklin, of Columbia, Mo.; grandchildren, Emily Drappi of Wayland, Mass., Sam Boss of Malden, Mass., Thomas Ringle of Belfast, Matthias Ringle of Winslow, Marianna Horn of Saskatoon, Canada, Katherine Horn of Montreal, Canada, and Ann Franklin, of Columbia, Mo.; and her very dear cousin, Roland Lange of Lewiston, with whom she enjoyed spending many hours reminiscing family stories and adventures together. Many thanks to the staff at Mayo Regional Hospital and with special appreciation to Fran Moore whose kindness and care was a great source of happiness.
A family service will be held at a later date. Those who wish to remember Marie-Luise in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Physically Challenged Club at Piscataquis YMCA, care of Fran Moore, P.O. Box 202, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
Marie-Luise Piel Kemp
