MARGARET HARRIET KEENE

KEENE, Margaret Harriet 92, of Ocean Park, Maine passed peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Huntington Common in Kennebunk where she was a resident. Margaret was born in 1920 in Boston, Mass. to Norval and Ida Robinson. She and her brother, Norval were raised in Medford, Mass. She graduated from Medford H.S. in 1937 and received her BA from Lowell State Teachers College (now UMass-Lowell) in 1941. She later received her Masters in Education and completed all coursework for her Doctorate at Boston University. In 1942 she married Ralph Keene, Jr. of Medford and after World War II moved to Reading, Mass. She began her 20-year teaching career in 1955, specializing in remedial reading in the Wilmington and Reading school systems. She was always active in church wherever she went, including First Baptist in Medford, First Congregational in Reading, United Baptist in Saco, Maine, and United Community Church in Sun City Center, Florida. Across the years, near and dear to her heart was worshipping at The Temple in Ocean Park. She found great joy in sacred music, playing the piano for Sunday School and the organ for hymn sings. She also played hand bells in several choirs. Her deep faith was always a source of strength and pleasure. In 1981, Margaret and Ralph moved to Sun City Center, FL, where they became active participants in numerous community groups, including Meals on Wheels and Neighborhood Watch. They also traveled extensively throughout the world. Each spring, they would return for the summer months to their beloved Ocean Park where she served on numerous committees and was a lifetime member of the Educational Bureau, serving as president from 1967 -1969. Tennis was always a favorite sport and Margaret played well into her 80's. Bridge and other table games provided many opportunities for socializing. Attending seminars, taking courses, going to concerts, movies and plays provided much joy to her throughout her retirementyears. She made a difference in the lives of many through her countless volunteer hours, teaching reading in disadvantaged school systems and in local prisons in Florida, where she provided much hope to inmates. She truly lived out her faith. She will be remembered for being gracious and generous, in word and in deed. She is predeceased by Ralph, her husband of 68 years. She is survived by two married sons, Douglas and wife Beth of McLean, Virginia and David and wife Vicki of Andover, Mass; four grandchildren, Garrett, Sterling, Tyler and Lauren; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Jordan Hall in Ocean Park at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Arrangements are provided by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., PORTLAND, Maine. Pleasevisit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Margaret's guest book. Donations in remembrance of Margaret may be made to: The Ocean Park Association, P.O. Box 7296, Ocean Park, Maine 04063