Obituary for Mary Ellen Kimball
Lamoine
Mary Ellen Kimball died peacefully at her home in Lamoine with her dog Sadie by her side on February 25, 2021. Mary Ellen was born on June 30, 1947 at MDI Hospital the elder daughter of Allan R. and Margaret Kelley Kimball.
Mary Ellen grew up in Bar Harbor and attended St Edward's Parochial School and Bar Harbor High School class of 1965. After graduation she moved to Boston to pursue a degree in accounting at Burdett Junior College. After college she worked at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. In 1968 she moved back to Bar Harbor and spent over 35 years working at the Jackson Laboratory.
MEK as she was known to family and friends was a kind and generous person. If someone needed six dollars and she only had a ten, she would give them the ten; knowing she might never see that ten again. Children, animals, and people in crisis were her specialty. She offered a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a cash contribution for any and all needs.
In Mary Ellen's family she was known as "SISSY" thanks to her then two-year-old sister who couldn't pronounce Mary Ellen. When the neighborhood kids teased her with "Sissy is a sissy" she set them straight with black eyes and split lips, typical tomboy behavior in 1955. Though she never married she loved those who walked in her life. As with most people she suffered pain when a relationship ended or if she realized she had been used by those she trusted. My sister's voice and her wonderful laugh were well known by many. Her angry voice (HEY!) was known by friends, neighbors, and the dogs.
When it came to her niece and nephew she was "SISSY!" They loved her and she adored them. Many aunts may have been as good as Sissy, but few were better. Ironically, toward the end of her life she lost her will to live. Her job was gone, many of her friends (the Kids) were gone and she was, for the first time, lonely. This is often the curse of a giver-when there is no one left in need, one questions their reason for living. Mary Ellen had a good life overall. Now she is free of pain and at peace.
MEK was predeceased by her mother Maggie and her father Al. She leaves behind her sister Joyce Pilling (husband David). Her niece Jen King (son Emrys), her former nephew-in-law Phil Phelps (daughter Kylara Irilyn) of Ellsworth; her nephew Chad King (wife Sarah Crossman and their children Finnley James and Lorelei Angeline) of Vinalhaven. She also leaves a dear friend and business partner Carolyn Hamm of Lamoine.
There will be a graveside service on Wednesday September 15, 2021 at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Bar Harbor at I:00 pm; if Covid-19 allows us to gather. Contributions in MEK's name may be made to The Ark Animal Shelter, P O Box 276, Cherryfield 04622 or any small group in need.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Mary Ellen Kimball died peacefully at her home in Lamoine with her dog Sadie by her side on February 25, 2021. Mary Ellen was born on June 30, 1947 at MDI Hospital the elder daughter of Allan R. and Margaret Kelley Kimball.
Mary Ellen grew up in Bar Harbor and attended St Edward's Parochial School and Bar Harbor High School class of 1965. After graduation she moved to Boston to pursue a degree in accounting at Burdett Junior College. After college she worked at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. In 1968 she moved back to Bar Harbor and spent over 35 years working at the Jackson Laboratory.
MEK as she was known to family and friends was a kind and generous person. If someone needed six dollars and she only had a ten, she would give them the ten; knowing she might never see that ten again. Children, animals, and people in crisis were her specialty. She offered a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a cash contribution for any and all needs.
In Mary Ellen's family she was known as "SISSY" thanks to her then two-year-old sister who couldn't pronounce Mary Ellen. When the neighborhood kids teased her with "Sissy is a sissy" she set them straight with black eyes and split lips, typical tomboy behavior in 1955. Though she never married she loved those who walked in her life. As with most people she suffered pain when a relationship ended or if she realized she had been used by those she trusted. My sister's voice and her wonderful laugh were well known by many. Her angry voice (HEY!) was known by friends, neighbors, and the dogs.
When it came to her niece and nephew she was "SISSY!" They loved her and she adored them. Many aunts may have been as good as Sissy, but few were better. Ironically, toward the end of her life she lost her will to live. Her job was gone, many of her friends (the Kids) were gone and she was, for the first time, lonely. This is often the curse of a giver-when there is no one left in need, one questions their reason for living. Mary Ellen had a good life overall. Now she is free of pain and at peace.
MEK was predeceased by her mother Maggie and her father Al. She leaves behind her sister Joyce Pilling (husband David). Her niece Jen King (son Emrys), her former nephew-in-law Phil Phelps (daughter Kylara Irilyn) of Ellsworth; her nephew Chad King (wife Sarah Crossman and their children Finnley James and Lorelei Angeline) of Vinalhaven. She also leaves a dear friend and business partner Carolyn Hamm of Lamoine.
There will be a graveside service on Wednesday September 15, 2021 at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Bar Harbor at I:00 pm; if Covid-19 allows us to gather. Contributions in MEK's name may be made to The Ark Animal Shelter, P O Box 276, Cherryfield 04622 or any small group in need.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com