Kellie Lynne Ketchen Obituary (1966 - 2018)

WINTHROP ~ Kellie Lynne Ketchen, 51, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018, surrounded by her family after a long and valiant battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She was born Kellie Lynne Hatch on August 27, 1966 in Bangor, Maine, the daughter of Edward L. Hatch and Patricia Lynn O’Keefe Hatch. Kellie graduated from Winthrop High School, class of 1984, and completed both her Bachelors and Masters of Education at the University of Maine at Orono. She was a passionate teacher and taught elementary education in the Dresden and Hall-Dale school systems until her retirement in 2000. She married Brian Ketchen on October 27, 1990 and spent many wonderful years raising dogs and horses at the 12 acre farm they shared with her mother in Winthrop. Kellie was diagnosed with MS in 1996, but after her retirement enjoyed home-making, planting flower gardens, crafting, and especially riding her beloved horse of 23 years, Swifty. She was a skilled equestrian, and her love of horses extended to her parents, brothers, and nieces, the latter of whom spent their summers growing up at the farm learning to ride. Prior to moving to the farm in 1998, she and her mother boarded their horses at the home of friends, Judy and John Parent, and created many happy memories there. Kellie had been an active leader of 4H, was involved with the National MS Society organizing fund-raisers and MS walks, and worked with Golden Retriever rescue clubs where she made life-long friends. She was an exuberant crafter despite her advancing physical disabilities, and loved making Christmas gifts and cards of all occasions to give to her family and friends. In 2005, Kellie and Brian spent a memorable 15th anniversary “honeymoon” trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. For years, she loved their Sunday car trips with the dogs to visit her grandparents or her favorite routes along the coast or the western mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. Kellie is survived by her husband, Brian, of 27 years; her mother, Patricia Hatch; her father and step-mother, Edward Hatch and Catherine Kerr; her brothers, Edward “Tiger” Hatch and his wife, Valerie; Rob Hatch and his wife Amber; nieces Julie Ketchen, Michaela Ketchen, Victoria Sanford, Isabelle and Evelyn Hatch, Madisson and Bailey Hatch, and nephews David Ketchen, Mitchell Ketchen, and Nicholas Sanford; her mother-in-law, Denise Ketchen; plus numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and in-laws. Kellie is also survived by her special friends, Jean and Lewis Allen, Betsy Ladd, Connie and Phil Locashio, Cindy-Lou Partridge, Linda Frost, Rhonda Ouellette, and her loyal terriers, Nanouk, Lucy, Ruby, Gryphon and Rosie. Brian and Kellie’s family would like to thank Dr. Jenn McConnell, June Brooks, Debbie Diamond, and Sue Clements. Also, special acknowledgments are owed to Jean Jennings, Renee Williams and all the staff and volunteers of MaineGeneral Home Care and Hospice. At Kellie’s request, there will be no visiting hours or funeral service. All are invited to attend a celebration of life on Saturday, January 20th, 2018 at 1 pm at Maple Hill Farm Inn, 11 Inn Road, Hallowell, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kellie’s memory to MaineGeneral Home Care & Hospice, c/o Office of Philanthropy, P O Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903 or Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are under the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com