Obituary for Katharine J. McNear Auburn – Katharine J. McNear, 89, a longtime resident of Leeds, passed away peacefully, Saturday, January 19th at Schooner Estates in Auburn, as a result of declining health from dementia. She was born April 14, 1929 in Saugus, Massachusetts, the daughter of Stanley L. Bryant and Ruth (Lovewell) Bryant. At the age of 16, Katharine graduated as valedictorian from Leavitt Institute in Turner, class of 1945. She was awarded a four year academic scholarship to Bates College, but chose a different path. She married Johnny Nutting and they had two sons, John and Paul, before his death during the Korean War. His plane was shot down in the South Pacific; his remains were never recovered. She later married Gerald McNear on November 27, 1954, and they had sons, Jeffrey and Craig. After 55 years of marriage, Gerald passed away February 14, 2010. No stranger to hard work, together they built a family farm from scratch, with Holstein cattle and poultry barns. Katharine devoted her time to family and home and also served as treasurer for the Town of Leeds for 13 years. Her love and knowledge of music showed in her choir direction of the Leeds Community Church, where she played the organ each Sunday for 25 years. She was also a longtime member of the Androscoggin Chorale. Katharine enjoyed reading, singing, gardening, birdwatching, traveling, knitting, cross-stitching, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing. She especially loved family gatherings and cherished moments spent with them. Everything she set out to do got done, and it was always done well; she always had that expectation of herself. Katharine McNear was a woman well-acquainted with sorrow and grief, yet she worked very hard at being optimistic. She is survived by her sons, John Nutting and wife Sandy, Paul Nutting and wife Penny, Jeffrey McNear, Kathy McNear, and Craig McNear all of Leeds; 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and sisters, Anna Smith, Edna Twitchell, and Caroline McCoubrey. She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, John M. Nutting and Gerald McNear, infant son, Joel B. McNear and her sister, Nancy Trider. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Nelda Bond, whose devoted care allowed Katharine to stay in her home near beloved family and friends until this past September. Katharine J. McNear, 89, of Leeds, Maine. A Memorial Service at Leeds Community Church, 123 Church Hill Road, Leeds, Maine will be announced in the spring. Interment Fairview Cemetery, Leeds, Maine. Arrangements by BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine. To send flowers to the family of Katharine J. McNear, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. 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She was born April 14, 1929 in Saugus, Massachusetts, the daughter of Stanley L. Bryant and Ruth (Lovewell) Bryant. At the age of 16, Katharine graduated as valedictorian from Leavitt Institute in Turner, class of 1945. She was awarded a four year academic scholarship to Bates College, but chose a different path. She married Johnny Nutting and they had two sons, John and Paul, before his death during the Korean War. His plane was shot down in the South Pacific; his remains were never recovered. She later married Gerald McNear on November 27, 1954, and they had sons, Jeffrey and Craig. After 55 years of marriage, Gerald passed away February 14, 2010. No stranger to hard work, together they built a family farm from scratch, with Holstein cattle and poultry barns. Katharine devoted her time to family and home and also served as treasurer for the Town of Leeds for 13 years. Her love and knowledge of music showed in her choir direction of the Leeds Community Church, where she played the organ each Sunday for 25 years. She was also a longtime member of the Androscoggin Chorale. Katharine enjoyed reading, singing, gardening, birdwatching, traveling, knitting, cross-stitching, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing. She especially loved family gatherings and cherished moments spent with them. Everything she set out to do got done, and it was always done well; she always had that expectation of herself. Katharine McNear was a woman well-acquainted with sorrow and grief, yet she worked very hard at being optimistic. She is survived by her sons, John Nutting and wife Sandy, Paul Nutting and wife Penny, Jeffrey McNear, Kathy McNear, and Craig McNear all of Leeds; 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and sisters, Anna Smith, Edna Twitchell, and Caroline McCoubrey. She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, John M. Nutting and Gerald McNear, infant son, Joel B. McNear and her sister, Nancy Trider. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Nelda Bond, whose devoted care allowed Katharine to stay in her home near beloved family and friends until this past September. Katharine J. McNear, 89, of Leeds, Maine. A Memorial Service at Leeds Community Church, 123 Church Hill Road, Leeds, Maine will be announced in the spring. Interment Fairview Cemetery, Leeds, Maine. Arrangements by BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine. To send flowers to the family of Katharine J. McNear, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Order Flowers Printable Share on Facebook Memorial Tribute Website Proudly Provided by: Finley Funeral Home 707 Main Street PO Box 188 Monmouth, Maine, United States Phone: 207-933-4444 Map | Directions | Contact Us
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Katharine J McNear 1929 2019.
Death notice for the town of: -, state: Maine