Kathy Jean Connolly

Kathy (Barter) Connolly, age 78, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2023, after a brief stay at Seaside Nursing Home in Portland, Maine. Born on December 15, 1944 to William and Johnnie Barter, Kathy married young and had two children, Collette and Kevin. Having a deep love of nature, Kathy enjoyed exploring the great outdoors while picking blueberries and gardening. While Maine was always “home,” Kathy and family also lived in California, Wisconsin, and Alabama while the children were still in school, yet Kathy yearned to travel and explore more of the beauty that was “just around the bend. After her children were grown, Kathy took a job with the National Parks Service, where a new adventure awaited her at every turn. Beginning as a housekeeper, Kathy soon began cooking for the Park Rangers and staff at Arcadia National Park, in Maine. after becoming well-known for her delicious soups. Kathy was relocated to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, then Zion National Park in Utah, and Yosemite National Park in California where she remained and cooked for many years. She often shared stories of her many rock-climbs, hikes, and bike rides through the wilderness of these beautiful National Parks. Kathy returned to Maine in the 1990s and resided in Gorham where she worked at a local wholesale club until retirement. She continued to pick blueberries, and crocheted beautiful afghans, slippers, potholders, and dishcloths for family and friends. After joining Grace Baptist Church in Portland, Kathy made it her ministry to provide rides to several friends and neighbors who no longer drove. She was not shy about sharing her faith in Christ and often told others, “I can do all things through Christ.” She longed to be well enough to return to church, yet a couple days before Jesus called her home, Kathy expressed her desire to see Jesus face to face and to be reunited with her dear “Mama.” Kathy is survived by her daughter Collette Meltz and her husband Augie of Shiocton, Wisconsin; her son Kevin Connolly and his wife Joanne of Empire, Alabama; two brothers, Russell Barter, of Buxton, Maine and Timothy Barter and his wife Mary of Dover, New Hampshire; two sisters, Linda VanDoren, of Panama City Beach, Florida and Pamela Goodale and husband George of Windham, Maine; five grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and some friends who Kathy considered family. Kathy is predeceased by her grandson, Michael Connolly, her brother, Mark Barter, and her nephew, Timothy Barter, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the charity of your choice to aid women and children who are victims of domestic violence and abuse. Visiting Hours will be held on September 11, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Dolby, Blais, Segee-Windham Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham, ME. Celebration of Life will be held on September 12, 2023 at Grace Baptist Church, Summit Street, Portland at 11:00 AM. Burial to follow at Brooklawn Cemetery, Portland, ME

Kathy Jean Connolly

December 15, 1944 - September 1, 2023

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