Louise Angeline Waldron Kinney, obituary

Mon, 03/19/2018 - 8:00pm

Louise Angeline Waldron Kinney, of Spruce Head, passed away peacefully three weeks shy of her 97th birthday on March 12 after suffering a stroke.  Louise was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend, church and community member, who lived life fully. 

Louise was born April 9, 1921 to Mildred Hooper Sylvester Waldron and Harold Henry Waldron. She was predeceased by her siblings Nathalie ‘Nat’ Stimpson, Robert ‘Bobby’ Waldron who was killed in WWII, Richard Waldron, Katherine Waldron and Verna Baum. 

Louise lived a rich family life and considered her family her greatest accomplishment and joy. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years Austin Robinson Kinney. They married in Jefferson, Maine, in 1938, with her sister Nat as the Maid of Honor and dear friend Ted Caddy as the best man. Her father gave the couple $10 and the three couples went dancing afterward.

Louise and Austin had three sons and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her oldest son, Harold Rodney Kinney, passed away in 2007 and she is survived by her daughter-in-law, Judith Kinney of Venice, Florida, and grandchildren Phillip Russell ‘Rusty’ Olson of Oklahoma, Scott Kinney of Oakland, California, and Katherine Kinney, of Portland.

Her son, Arnold Austin ‘Buzzy’ Kinney and daughter in law Eleanor Kinney, of Spruce Head, had four children: Katrina Niles and her husband, Rodney, of Candia N.H., and their daughters Lydia Garland and her husband Ryan, Abby, and Hanna Niles (deceased); Kelli Jo and her partner, Lyle Morris, of Tenants Harbor, Maine and grandchildren Hayli Kinney and her wife Ophelia, Jackson ‘Sam’ Kinney and Nicholas Widdecomb, Kimberly (deceased), Kriston (deceased), grandson Andrew (deceased) and great granddaughter Kara Crie Kinney.

She is also survived by her youngest son, Sumner Waldron Kinney and his wife, Marjorie, of Thomaston, grandchildren Shannon and her daughter, Rachel Louise Kinney, of Thomaston, Shane Kinney and his wife, Lauren, of Portsmouth N.H., Eric Leidenroth and his wife, Marilyn, of Atlanta, and Kurt Leidenroth, of Thomaston. Patty Burch, of Spruce Head, is also a special member of her extended family. Louise is survived also by many nieces, nephews and other family. Louise taught the values of hard work, community, faith and family to every member of her family and extended family and would sing “I love you a bushel and a peck” to remind them how she felt.  

During their younger years, Louise and Austin made their home in the Waldron Farm in Spruce Head and focused their lives on their growing family and hard work. One of their favorite activities was square dancing.

Louise, a prolific and talented seamstress, would make their matching outfits, and they travelled all over coastal Maine to attend square dances often with grandchildren in tow.

In their retirement, they travelled all around the U.S. in their RV known as “the rig” and made many life long friends from all over North America.

In 1980, they found Chimney Park in Mission Texas, spending the winter there every year.

After Austin passed, Louise continued to go with her granddaughter, Shannon, for another 12 years, and then several years on her own, not stopping until she was 94. She and Austin visited many of their friends from there at their homes throughout Canada, Michigan and the Midwest, and many visited her in Maine. Chimney Park and its residents held a special place in her heart.

Another organization dear to Louise’s heart was Spruce Head Community Church. She lived her life righteously and considered its members part of her family, as well. Throughout her years there, she nurtured many children there through her teachings at Vacation Bible School and Sunday school, through bible studies and knitting classes. Her faith was her compass in life, and she attended faithfully up until her last week. Many members of her church family were with her throughout her life, and in her final week, including her Pastor and his wife, and that meant the world to her.

In her working life, her most memorable role was as “Lunch Lady” in the Rockland school system. She loved seeing the kids each day and cooking and considered it to be a special part of her life.

Once retired, Louise didn’t rest – believing “you make hay when the sun shines,” as her father used to say.

She volunteered at the First Baptist Book Store in Rockland, in the gift shop of the Penobscot Bay Medical Center for nearly 30 years logging more than 5,000 hours. 

She was also a dedicated member of the Spruce Head Community Hall, and the Knit Wits where she was an active member for many years enjoying the fellowship and opportunity to put her knitting skills to work to help others. 

Louise loved hosting large family gatherings, most notably summer lobster feeds in her garage. At each meal, she’d sing a favorite song “she said she wasn’t hungry, but this is what she ate.” She was a giftedseamstress making clothes for the kids, quilter, knitter, and loved making crafts, particularly those that she collaborated on with Austin. She prided herself on being a “good housekeeper” baked every Saturday morning which attracted not only her family but also neighborhood children to her house, which was the center of all activity for multiple generations of children.

In her later years, Louise enjoyed every minute, but was also prepared for her trip to heaven.

She would discuss with her family and friends her directions for “when I don’t come down to breakfast anymore,” including her service. The family will be hosting this celebration of life in late April – early May and will make announcements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Spruce Head Community Church at PO Box 18 or Spruce Head Community Hall at PO Box 323 Spruce Head, ME 04859.  To share a memory or story with Louise’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.