Jay- Cindy Kilgore, age 72, died unexpectedly on September 26, 2026, due to complications from a fall. She was born on August 10, 1954, in Manchester, New Hampshire, to Christine and Roger Kilgore and grew up in Yarmouth, Farmingdale, and Winthrop, Maine. She graduated from Hall-Dale High School in Farmingdale and went on to study zoology at the University of Maine at Orono.

Early in her career, Cindy worked at the family business, Fairfield Insurance Agency, before finding her calling with the Maine Department of Agriculture as a state livestock specialist. It was work that suited her perfectly. Cindy was honest, hardworking, knowledgeable, and deeply at home around farms and animals. She retired in 2020.

Cindy's love of horses and animals was central to who she was. On her first horseback ride, the horse took her through a barbed-wire fence and she cut her hand. She got up grinning and was hooked. Bumps and bruises were simply part of life when working with large animals. She also had a keen eye for livestock and appreciated a well-matched pair of calves, whether they were her own or animals she encountered while judging 4-H youth.

Cindy loved the back roads, farms, and stories of Maine. Antiquing trips often became adventures in search of bargains, and getting lost was never much of a concern. There always seemed to be a story connected to a farm along the way.

Later in life, Cindy shared many adventures with her partner, Norris. Cindy moved from Hallowell to Jay to live with Norris on the family farm. Together they raised and trained steers for showing at fairs across Maine. Cindy knew her steers, devoted herself to their training, and the pair brought home many ribbons. Cindy and Norris also enjoyed traveling, exploring back roads and farms on road trips across the United States.

Cindy was never one to sit still. Fall brought fairs, winter brought quilting, and retirement opened the door to even more adventures, including kayaking and ATV riding with family and friends. She was an accomplished quilter and generously gave many handmade quilts to the people she loved. Those quilts will remain treasured reminders of her care, patience, and creativity.

Family was always important to Cindy. She cared for her parents before they died and was a loving and involved aunt to her nieces and nephews. She and her three brothers remained close and supportive throughout their lives. Cindy also built a wide circle of friends and treasured friendships that lasted for decades.

Cindy lived with purpose and on her own terms. She worked hard, loved deeply, stayed curious, and was always ready for the next road, fair, farm, project, or adventure. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

Cindy was predeceased by her parents, Christine and Roger Kilgore, and her niece, Ainsley Kilgore. She is survived by her partner, Norris, and his family; her three brothers, Wayne Kilgore and his wife, Lori; Douglas Kilgore and his partner, Cassie Babb; and Christopher Kilgore and his wife, Jill Maginnis. She is also survived by her nieces Dawn Kilgore, Emma Kilgore, and nephews David Kilgore, Caleb Kilgore, and Hunter Kilgore; extended family; and many friends, including her best friend of 60 years, Karen Trask.

Arrangements and guidance are under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, ME.  

As Karen wrote, “This is the Cindy I knew and will miss until we meet again.”

She will be forever missed and forever in our hearts. Godspeed, Cindy.