Obituary for Marjorie M. McKeown (Johnson)
Marjorie M. McKeown, 91, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2023, in Scarborough, Maine after a brief illness.
Marjorie was born in 1931, in Calais, Maine to Bertram and Florence Johnson, their fourth child. She was a 1949 graduate of Calais Memorial High School where she was a standout basketball player for the Lady Blue Devils. After graduating from Calais Memorial High School, Marjorie followed her husband Verne while he served in the United States Air Force. She raised her five children in the military life with assignments throughout the United States and overseas, including Okinawa and England. Upon retirement, Marjorie and Verne returned home and settled in Crawford, Maine. She lived in Crawford for over 40 years where she raised her youngest child.
In a life filled with accomplishments, she was proudest of her children and grandchildren. She was also proud of her work as a Maine Wild Blueberry grower, a job she took on after her beloved husband died in 1988. Marjorie loved being with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed living at Love Lake in Crawford where gardening was a favorite pastime. She looked forward to spring so she could plant or transplant flowers and bushes, a magnet for hummingbirds and bees. She also enjoyed her vegetable garden tending to it with great anticipation of a generous crop. Marjorie had a knack for growing things! She liked to do things with her hands: knitting, crocheting, and remember macramé? Everybody loved her pies. Baking the best strawberry-rhubarb and fresh blueberry pies was second nature to her. Marjorie was a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox. She would not miss a game if there was a television available, even when traveling.
She was a faithful and loyal member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 40 years. She held leadership positions in Royal Chapter #146 (Princeton) and later transitioned to Orion Chapter #45 (Calais) when the Princeton chapter closed.
In addition to her parents, Marjorie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 36 years Ralph Verne McKeown, and her brothers Gerald, Frederick (“Ad”), and Paul. Surviving her are brother Jack (Carmen) Johnson of Severna Park, Maryland, and sister Jean Campbell of Pleasant Lake, Maine. Her surviving children are Ralph V. McKeown, Jr. of Wichita, Kansas; Constance M. (Jesus) del Pino of Derby, Kansas; Karen A. Parrish of Thornton, Colorado; David G. McKeown; Tina L. (Bradford) Chandler of Wells, Maine. Marjorie is also survived by her grandchildren Christopher del Pino, Andrea Varner, Martina Parrish, Nelson Parrish, Nicholas Chandler, Nathan Chandler, Elise Chandler, Gerald McKeown, and Kevin McKeown, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was especially fond of Kathy Campbell, who was of great assistance after Marjorie stopped driving.
The family will hold a private burial to honor her wishes. Condolences and memories may be shared through Bibber Memorial Chapel in Kennebunk, ME (www.bibberfuneral.com). The family asks that if you are so moved, you make a donation in Marjorie’s honor to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074. (www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org).
To leave a message of condolence, please visit Marjorie’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk.
Marjorie was born in 1931, in Calais, Maine to Bertram and Florence Johnson, their fourth child. She was a 1949 graduate of Calais Memorial High School where she was a standout basketball player for the Lady Blue Devils. After graduating from Calais Memorial High School, Marjorie followed her husband Verne while he served in the United States Air Force. She raised her five children in the military life with assignments throughout the United States and overseas, including Okinawa and England. Upon retirement, Marjorie and Verne returned home and settled in Crawford, Maine. She lived in Crawford for over 40 years where she raised her youngest child.
In a life filled with accomplishments, she was proudest of her children and grandchildren. She was also proud of her work as a Maine Wild Blueberry grower, a job she took on after her beloved husband died in 1988. Marjorie loved being with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed living at Love Lake in Crawford where gardening was a favorite pastime. She looked forward to spring so she could plant or transplant flowers and bushes, a magnet for hummingbirds and bees. She also enjoyed her vegetable garden tending to it with great anticipation of a generous crop. Marjorie had a knack for growing things! She liked to do things with her hands: knitting, crocheting, and remember macramé? Everybody loved her pies. Baking the best strawberry-rhubarb and fresh blueberry pies was second nature to her. Marjorie was a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox. She would not miss a game if there was a television available, even when traveling.
She was a faithful and loyal member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 40 years. She held leadership positions in Royal Chapter #146 (Princeton) and later transitioned to Orion Chapter #45 (Calais) when the Princeton chapter closed.
In addition to her parents, Marjorie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 36 years Ralph Verne McKeown, and her brothers Gerald, Frederick (“Ad”), and Paul. Surviving her are brother Jack (Carmen) Johnson of Severna Park, Maryland, and sister Jean Campbell of Pleasant Lake, Maine. Her surviving children are Ralph V. McKeown, Jr. of Wichita, Kansas; Constance M. (Jesus) del Pino of Derby, Kansas; Karen A. Parrish of Thornton, Colorado; David G. McKeown; Tina L. (Bradford) Chandler of Wells, Maine. Marjorie is also survived by her grandchildren Christopher del Pino, Andrea Varner, Martina Parrish, Nelson Parrish, Nicholas Chandler, Nathan Chandler, Elise Chandler, Gerald McKeown, and Kevin McKeown, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was especially fond of Kathy Campbell, who was of great assistance after Marjorie stopped driving.
The family will hold a private burial to honor her wishes. Condolences and memories may be shared through Bibber Memorial Chapel in Kennebunk, ME (www.bibberfuneral.com). The family asks that if you are so moved, you make a donation in Marjorie’s honor to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074. (www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org).
To leave a message of condolence, please visit Marjorie’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk.