OWLS HEAD — Alice Jean (Jean) Martel, 81, passed away peacefully, Sunday, November 27, 2022 at the Owls Head Homestead.

Born December 23, 1940, in Camden, South Carolina to Harold and Ila Mae (Brown) Capell, Jean graduated from Asheville Central high school in Lee County, South Carolina.  

Though an only child, Jean enjoyed a large extended family with whom she corresponded her entire life. As a child she enjoyed music and became the pianist at her local church at a very young age. Church was a cornerstone of Jean’s life, and the southern Baptist faith she learned in her childhood remained a part of her daily routine through reading, prayer, and acts of service.

She was courted by William (Bill) Carl Martel, a Rockland, Maine native stationed at the Sumter, South Carolina US Air Force base. Bill and Jean were married July 21, 1959. They lived in Columbia, South Carolina for two years while Bill attended university, then moved to Orono, Maine in 1961 for completion of Bill’s degree.

Bill and Jean moved to Rockland, Maine soon after, where they raised their family. Over the years Jean worked assorted jobs such as bank teller, librarian, and bookkeeper, but her heart was always with family. She was active in their local church, teaching Sunday School, performing Deaconess duties, and participating in various committees. Jean and Bill attended Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Rockland, and in later years West Rockport Baptist Church.

Jean was a wonderful homemaker and held great skill in the care of children. She dedicated herself to her three children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Never forgetting her roots she traveled regularly to visit parents, friends, and relatives in South Carolina and always came back to Maine, sharing her knowledge of gospel music and singing, delicious fried chicken and sweet tea, along with her kind disposition and lovely smile. She will be greatly missed.

Predeceased by her parents and husband, Jean is survived by her daughters, Renee Philbrook and Nate Greenleaf of Washington, Carmen Van Dusen and her husband Donald of Owls Head; her son, William Martel and his wife Joanna of Saco; as well as 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Monday, December 12, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the West Rockport Baptist Church, Park Street. The Rev. Dr. David English will officiate. Interment will follow in the Owls Head Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Rockport Baptist Church, POB 221, West Rockport, ME 04865.

For those unable to attend Jean’s service, a live-stream will be available on her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. First click ‘Photos and Videos’, then click Watch Webcast. Memories and condolences may be shared at that same website.