ROCKLAND — Lella Jane Dowling, 92, died peacefully on Jan. 30, 2016, at Hill House in Bath, following an extended period of declining health.

Born in Farmingdale, N.Y., on Jan. 26, 1924, she was the daughter of Alva N. and Myrtle MacCauley Ketcham. Educated in New York schools, she was a 1942 graduate of Huntington (New York) High School.

During her husband's military career, she lived many places throughout the United States.

After settling in Rockland, she began employment at the former Knox County General Hospital in the Dietary Department. Upon the opening of the new Penobscot Bay Medical Center, she transferred with her department providing dietary services to that hospital. She worked at PBMC several years until retiring.

For many years, Lella was active in the national, state and local Grange. She was a longtime member of the Pleasant Valley Grange, Achorn Grange and the Limerock Valley Pomona Grange. She served as lady assistant for many meetings, served on the Installation Team for both the Subordinate and Pomona Granges, and served many years as treasurer and chaplain.

Devoted to her children and grandchildren, she enjoyed keeping abreast of all that was happening in their lives.

In addition to her parents, Lella was predeceased by three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her son, Kevin J. Dowling and his wife, Ellen Kyder, of Washington, N.C.; her daughter, Kathleen Staples and her husband, John, of Springfield, Va.; one brother, Gerald A. Ketcham of Pineville, N.C.; six grandchildren, Jennifer Piacente and her husband, Eric, John Staples and his wife, Erin, Thomas Staples and his wife, Patricia, Joshua Staples, Alizabeth Dowling, and Anne Caiazzo and her husband, Nick; seven great-grandchildren, Logan, Peri, Delaney, Aiden, Ben, Addison and Avary; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A service will be announced in the summer.

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