SPRUCE HEAD — Arlene Grace (Kennedy) Baum, 93, died Friday, December 23, 2022 at The Homestead in Owls Head after a long period of declining health.

Arlene was born April 4, 1929 in Waldoboro, the 4th child and only daughter of William Francis and Grace Evelyn (Calderwood) Kennedy. She had four wonderful brothers, Harold, John, Arthur and Ronald, who all predeceased her.

She graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1946, worked one summer at the Mayflower Inn in Friendship, and later worked for the Superintendent of Schools in town. She met Everett L. Baum, Jr. in 1947 while roller skating in Rockland and they eloped in Damariscotta on August 4, 1948. They were married for 73 years before Everett passed in October 2021.

Everett and Arlene rented in Rockland and then built a house in Owls Head. While in Owls Head, Everett lobstered for Woodbury Snow on the island of Metinic where the family lived during the summer months.

Arlene never liked being on the water, so the weekly crossings from McLoons Wharf to Metinic to restock supplies must have been difficult for her, but she never complained. In 1958 they moved to Wheeler’s Bay in St. George where they lived until May 2021. How she loved her view of the bay and seeing all the lobster boats coming and going.

Arlene, a.k.a., Ma, Gram and GiGi, was a housewife and mother and was known for being agreeable with a big smile. She was friendly, talkative and enjoyed the company of everyone she met, with folks saying “what a sweet lady she is”. The look of sheer joy on her face every time her grandson Ryker or her great-grandchildren visited her will be remembered by all who watched.

She and Everett loved to travel and enjoyed many winters in Florida as well as seasonal summer camping at Mic Mac Campground and then Sennebec Lake Campground. In later years, one of Arlene’s favorite pastimes was sitting out front of their camper, watching the action.  Everett and Arlene will be remembered for their love of dancing and gliding on the dance floor.

Thoughts from her grandchildren: “Gram was our rock. The quintessential grandma with, a freezer full of Schwan’s man ice cream (all remember that), perfect hair and a predictably agreeable and supportive attitude. Gram packing Grampy’s lunch pail every day and then listening for him and/or Larry on the VHF while they were ‘out to haul’. Gram babysitting, smiling and singing ‘good morning’ songs. Gram having popsicles. Gram was sweet and cared about her family. She also worried about us and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. Morning snuggles and undiluted happiness anytime we walked into the room. The most patient, selfless, loving woman in my life. She was always there for me when I needed her, and she loved my kids with all her heart. I will forever cherish the memories, but will miss her every single day.”

Arlene was predeceased by her parents, her husband, four brothers; a son-in-law, Deane Webster; and two nephews, David and Billy Kennedy. 

She is survived by her three children, Linda Webster, Barbara Hanson (Stanwood), Larry Baum (Maria); her grandchildren, Brandy Schofield (Isaac), Meaghan Clapp, Michael Webster, Samantha Beers (Nick), Jennifer Hatch (Taylor), Morgan DiBenedetti (Thomas, Sr.), Ryker Baum; her great-grandchildren, Tucker Clapp, Lila Beers, Addilynn and Eloise Hatch, Thomas, Jr., Lincoln, Brooklynn and Skyler DiBenedetti; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Sullivan, Virginia ‘Ginny’ Kennedy and Barbara Kennedy; nieces, Pamela Richardson, Jane Swett, Mary Storer, Susan Jenkins and Angela Fletcher; as well as nephews, Ellis Baum and John Kennedy.

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, January 4, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a celebration of her life will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 10 a.m. The Reverend Ken Dale will officiate. Private interment will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. George Volunteer Firefighters & Ambulance Service, P. O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME  04860.

To share a story or condolence with the Baum family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.