LINCOLNVILLE — Joanne L McKee, 74, of Lincolnville, Maine, passed away at home on October 14, 2020, after a long struggle with cancer.

She was born in Rockland, on June 20, 1946 to John Harold Kaler and Zilda Viola (Russell) Kaler.

Joanne graduated from Camden Hills Regional High School in 1964, and later attended Thomas College, graduating with an associate degree in business.

Joanne married the love of her life, Robert Mckee, on January 8, 1966, giving birth to their twin sons (Robert Jr. and Randall) later that same year. She put her husband through college, working as the night supervisor at the University of Maine Fogler Library, where she especially loved working with incoming freshmen. This provided her a much needed break from the full time occupation of raising twins.

When her husband graduated in 1972, the family moved to Chestertown, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It was there that Joanne became involved with the Cub Scouts as a Den Mother, and discovered her love of horseback riding.

Joanne gave birth to their third son (Christopher) in 1977, and eventually returned to her work as a librarian at the Gunston School for Girls in Centreville, Maryland. Upon the family’s return to Maine, she became the librarian at the local grade school in Lincolnville. She also became involved with the Cub Scouts again, where she learned the hard way not to hold the nails for the scouts while they were building birdhouses.

Joanne loved to cook and entertain for her large family, and showered love upon her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was an excellent knitter, and every child in the family received beautiful handmade sweaters for Christmas and Birthdays.

Spending time at the family’s camps was one of the many things Joanne loved. Eventually, she even convinced her own mother to join them on their trips to camp. Even when her husband wasn’t there to supervise. She loved doting on her mother, and was always able to lift her spirits with various adventures around town and to local restaurants.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Robert McKee of Lincolnville; siblings John Kaler of Searsmont and Delores Jalbert of Rockland; her sons, Robert McKee Jr., Randall (Jody) McKee and Christopher (Lydia) McKee.

Joanne is also survived by her grandchildren Meahgan, Virginia (Todd), Randy (Morgan), Nicholas, Fischer, Bella and Olivia; great grandchildren Elizabeth, Evelyn, Ashlyn and Maverick; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Zilda (Russell) Kaler; her brother Robert Kaler; and her great granddaughter, Elise Dorr.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. We will always carry her memory in our hearts.

A private Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joanne’s name, to the Maine Cancer Foundation, www.mainecancer.org/ .

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.  

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.