ROCKPORT — Judith P. Willey, 72, died May 20, 2016, following surgery at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Born Oct. 30, 1943, in Huntington, W.Va., she was the daughter of James S. and Mary Hite Phillips.

She grew up in Charleston, W.Vs., and Ohio, eventually attending Hanna Moore Academy in Maryland for high school and Garland Junior College in Boston, Mass., where she earned a degree in art. She moved to Midcoast Maine in 1974 and loved it so much she never wanted to leave. She worked as a bookkeeper or payroll clerk at several local businesses including F.J. O'Hara & Sons, The Camden Herald, Yankee Books and FMC.

She married the love of her life, Harold G. Willey in December 1981. Harold passed away in September of 2015. She was a longstanding member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland, where she served in numerous ways over the years including as a vestry member and founding member of the soup kitchen.

Judith retired in 2006 and spent her time writing poetry, reviving her love of art, and spending time with family, both real and many “adopted” family members.

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Dorobis and her husband, Paul, of Rockport; her son, James Scott Withee and his wife, Joan, of Martinsburg, W.Va.; her grandchildren, Katherine Patten, Allison Dorobis of Rockport, James S. Withee II, Anna Elizabeth Moricle, and Timothy B. Troup of West Virginia; her great-grandchildren, Lillian, Trinity, Cheyenne, Natalie, Trey and Ethan; her step-granddaughter, Elsa Steffanson and her husband, Shawn Hansen, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and numerous other step relations.

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, June 3 at 2 p.m. at St Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland. The Rev. Lael Sorenson will officiate. Private interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Islesboro.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.