Kathleen Nelles McClure

SCARBOROUGH - Kathleen Nelles McClure, 87, died on Oct. 26, 2018, in Portland. She had been a resident at Piper Shores in Scarborough since 2006.Kay, as she was known, grew up in Rockville Center, NY, the only daughter of Roy and Kathleen Nelles, and the sister to three brothers, Roy, Barry and Peter. A self-proclaimed "tom boy", she was always picked first for any team game in school or the neighborhood. She graduated from Connecticut College in 1952. It was there that she met her future husband, Doug McClure, a Yale student, on a blind date. They proceeded to spend the next 54 years together, continuously moving westward as their lives took them from Pomfret, Conn. to Congers, NY to Princeton, NJ to Sewickley, Pa. and Minneapolis, Minn. Eventually they returned east and retired to Maine, a state dear to both their hearts and which they had come back to every year after spending a summer studying the Russian language at Colby College in 1962. Kay was a true "Renaissance woman", who was equally adept using a lathe as she was with a needle. She was an avid miniaturist, expert cruciverbalist and a "hostess with the mostess". She loved gardens, traveling, mysteries and artists of all types. Over the years, Kay was involved in many organizations, including the Rome Yacht Club, of which she was the founding commodore, and the Manamore artists' group of Minnesota.Kay is predeceased by her husband; brothers; and parents. She is survived by her sister-in-law Mary Lou Nelles; children Kathy Lowell, Ann Noel, Douglas McClure and Peter McClure and their spouses; as well as her eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, who all knew her affectionately as Meemah.Kay was a loving and creative soul, who was always ready for anything and happiest when she was with family and friends. She played by her own rules and lived a full life.A memorial service will be held in Princeton, NJ on Dec. 8, 2018. Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland ME.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers, please feel free to honor Kay with a donation to the:Maine Community FoundationRome Scholarship Fund245 Main St.Ellsworth, ME 04605