Obituary

Mary E. McIntosh, obituary

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 2:45pm

CAMDEN - Mary Emma McIntosh died peacefully on Oct. 15, 2016, in her sleep at her Camden home. She was born in New York City to William and Violet Keighley, who had moved to the United States from their home in Yorkshire, England.

A resident of Camden since 1976, Mary and her husband, Ray, enjoyed an adventure filled life with extensive travel around the world. Having lived in New York City, Uruguay, New Jersey, St. Louis, Connecticut and Maine, Camden was truly the home that they most loved.

Mary met Ray on a blind date during World War II while he was stationed in New York City. They were married in Riverside Church and lived nearby before moving to Uruguay, where they made good friends who remained "family" for life. They moved back to the States before starting their own family and had two children, Robin, who was born in New Jersey, and Chris in St. Louis. They moved to Connecticut to raise their family, and Mary was an active community member, volunteering for numerous organizations and joining Ray on occasion as he traveled around the world for work.

Upon retirement, they moved to Maine and bought Passmore Lumber by the arch (now EBS). They were both active community members through business and personal volunteering, often filling the roll of a "two-for-one" volunteer — if one volunteered for an organization, both would show up to help. They worked together for years and made close friends while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, organizing the annual yard sale and working on the first house built in Rockland. They both worked for years on the Camden Library book sale. Mary was also a volunteer at the Camden Rockport Animal Rescue League (now P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center) and enjoyed fostering kittens in her home. She always had a book club, quilting club, investment group or other club meeting to attend. She helped at the Congregational Church lunches, and especially enjoyed treating friends to lunch at the Camden Yacht Club, where she was a member for many years.

Their travels took them all over Central and South America, Trinidad, Europe, and China – occasionally joined by Chris or Robin. Never ones to take the easy road, they loved to travel to remote areas. From narrowboat trips in England, to sailing the Galapagos, to traveling up the Amazon, climbing Machu Pichu and Huayna Pichu, or going to Iguazu Falls – they were never afraid to take the back roads.

Mary was proud of her English heritage and remained close to her English family connections throughout her life. She was a member of the Daughters of the British Empire in Venice, Fla., where she and Ray wintered for many years.

She was a life-long learner and loved reading. She worked to keep up her Spanish throughout her life and would be found stopped in an isle of a store chatting with someone who she had heard speaking Spanish. And no one with a Yorkshire accent could be passed on the street in this busy tourist town. She quilted and knitted, was an accomplished seamstress, and was a true cheerleader in all things for Chris and Robin. A lover of animals, Mary never passed a dog on the street without stopping to say hello. Watching the wildlife in her backyard was a true joy on a daily basis.

Both Mary and Ray (who predeceased her in 2007) felt that through all of their travels, Camden was where they were meant to live. They had so many wonderful friends and acquaintances from their years as business owners and community volunteers. The beauty of the Midcoast was a constant source of wonder, and they felt so very lucky to have landed here.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Robin McIntosh and her husband, Rick Bates, of Camden; her son, Chris McIntosh and his partner, Maggie Tekverk, of Rockport; her grandchildren, Ashlee and Matthew McIntosh; and her granddogs, Perry and Riggin; and grandcats, Pixel and Bit.

She was a kind and thoughtful soul, and will be terribly missed.

Calling hours will be held Friday, Oct. 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St. in Camden. Private burial will be held in Seaview Cemetery in Rockport.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made to P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856.