ROCKLAND — Kathleen M. ‘Kay’ Staples, 96, passed away surrounded by her family at the Knox Center, November 21, just three days after her 96th birthday celebration.

Kay was born and attended schools in Dover, NH and was a 1942 graduate of Dover High School. After moving to Maine, she held a variety of jobs through the years. She loved the Lord and for many years attended Living Waters Revival Center and later Soul’s Harbor Church of God in Rockland.

She never had an empty candy dish and enjoyed sharing that candy with neighborhood children, family and all that came through her doors. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and plastic canvas work. She was especially proud of the many Christmas decorations she created and displayed on her tree each year. She also enjoyed watching her tomatoes and strawberries grow and sharing her bounty with friends and neighbors in summer. Each day she did the jumble puzzle in the newspaper and never would pass up a good game of Scrabble or Upwords.

Kay is survived by her children, James and Katherine York of Owls Head and Cindy York and Scott Dyer of Rockport; her grandchildren Kristen Freeman and partner Michael Roy of Owls Head, James York and fiancée Ainslee Pine of Rockland, Duncan Dyer of Rockport, and great-grandchildren Jack and Katherine Freeman of Owls Head and Josie and Sidney York of Rockland.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Knox Center for Long Term Care, Maine Hospice and Dr. Gordon Paine for their tender care. We are grateful for her many friends that visited, called and sent cards and letters to make her days brighter.

Per her wishes, the family will celebrate her life privately. Donations in her memory may be sent to Meals on Wheels, MCH, 46 Summer Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Kay’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.