CARIBOU — Marion M. Keenan, 92, passed away peacefully following a brief period of declining health on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at Windward Gardens in Camden. Her family would like to thank the staff at Windward Gardens for their compassionate care.

Born Marion Marie McKenney on July 18, 1928, in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada, she was the daughter of Augustus Owen and Hattie Ellen Dickinson McKenney. She grew up and attended school in Woodstock,
graduating from Carlton County Vocational School, where she played on the CCVS Girls Basketball Team. 

Following graduation, she trained as a nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, affiliated with McGill University. A graduate of McGill, Marion earned her R.N. and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. 
Travelling cross-continent via train, she was assigned to duty in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her career in the Navy later took her across the Atlantic to posts in England and Germany. 

Upon her honorable discharge, Marion moved from Woodstock to Houlton, Maine. While waiting to obtain her U.S. Nursing License, Marion’s first job state-side was on a potato harvester! During her tenure as a private-duty nurse for the Keenan family in Mars Hill, she met their son, Gerald, a tall handsome Army Lieutenant, home from World War II. The rest, as they say, is history! 

Gerald and Marion were married in Mars Hill on June 18, 1957. Together they made their home briefly in Presque Isle before settling in Caribou.

In Caribou, Gerald established a law practice, and Marion worked as a charge nurse at Cary Memorial Hospital, specializing in pediatrics. Welcoming two children into the family, Marion retired from nursing to raise her family. As they grew and entered high school, she later worked as a legal secretary for her husband. As his “right-hand man,” Marion assisted in many ways and was often jokingly asked by Gerald, “Marion, when did you get your law degree?”

Marion enjoyed singing for many years in the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Choir in Caribou. She was also a founding member of the Caribou Choral Society, under the musical direction of Danny Ladner, which began in 1976 as the Caribou Bicentennial Chorus. A meticulously organized person, Marion happily served as the group’s librarian for more than thirty years. While her son and daughter attended school, Marion was also an active “Band Parent” assisting with uniforms and chaperoning trips for the Caribou High School Bands, and was delighted to accompany the CHS Marching Band on their trip to participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C.

Marion loved being outdoors and “on the go.” She enjoyed attending concerts, plays, musical theatre, and sporting events of all kinds, especially where her four grandchildren were involved, of whom she was always so proud. Marion will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Marion was predeceased by her husband, Gerald Leo Keenan, Esq., and their infant son, Daniel James Keenan; siblings, Kenneth Owen McKenney and Joyce Florence Lawrence; and special brother-in-law, E. Roger Oakes.

Marion is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ellen Hendricks of Owls Head and grandsons, Daniel Owen Hendricks and Keenan John Hendricks; her son, Colonel Sean Andrew Keenan and his wife, Michelle Dube Keenan of Alexandria, Virginia, and granddaughters, Caitlin Marie Keenan and Bridget Ellen Claire Keenan. 

Marion is also survived by sisters-in-law, Carole McKenney of Monticello and Geraldine Oakes of Presque Isle; as well as several nieces and nephews, especially Duane Lawrence, David McKenney of Mars Hill, Frank Keenan of Presque Isle, and Dottie Keenan Smith of Caribou.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at 12:30 p.m., at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland. The Reverend Robert Vaillancourt will officiate. 

Marion will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Gerald, at Pierce Cemetery in Mars Hill. 

To share a memory or condolence with Marion’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

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