SCARBOROUGH — Katherine (Kay) Baird, 90, of Scarborough passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 7, after a courageous battle with lung cancer, at the Gosnell House in Scarborough, with her loving family by her side.
Kay was born April 25, 1928, to Ralph and Peg Merrow in Fort Fairfield. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1945. She went on to study dentistry at Fisher College in Boston.
On Oct. 15, 1950, Kay married the love of her life, Charles (Bernie) Baird, from Newport. They were blessed with four wonderful children: David, Betsy, Anne and Jeff.
She spent many years working for the school department in Auburn. She loved that she could be home with her children on storm days and during school vacations.
Kay spent several years living in Auburn with her family. She and Bernie were also fortunate to spend many happy years on the shores of Flying Pond in Mt. Vernon. After retirement, they spent six years managing two marinas in Oquossoc, where they enjoyed meeting many local and visiting families.
Kay really enjoyed family gatherings, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and traveling with Bernie on business trips until he finally fully retired at the age of 86. Kay also loved to dance and was often the life of the party!
Kay is survived by her sons David Baird and his wife, Terry, of Old Orchard Beach, and Jeff Baird and his wife, Michele, of Fredericksburg, Va.; and her daughter, Anne Stearns, and her husband, David, of Saco. She had nine grandchildren: Tim Baird and his wife, Kiyah, of Blacksburg, Va.; Nathan Baird and his wife, Heather, of Saco; Paul Sadler and his significant other, Rita Morin, of Lewiston; James Sadler and his wife, Tanya, of Lewiston; Jennifer Charest and her husband, Chris Charest, of Gorham; Kara Eaton and her husband, Terry, of Freeport; Megan Bishop and her husband, Steve; Amanda Overby and her husband, Drew; and Melissa Baird, all of Virginia; she also was blessed with eight great-grandchildrenl Eleanor, Oliver and Alice Baird; Liam and Elijah Overby; Emma Grace Bishop; Hadley and Noah Baird (and one on the way!); and Alex and Max Miranda, whom she also considered her great-grandchildren.
Kay was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Bernie Baird; her daughter, Betsy; and son-in-law, James Sadler; her brother, George Merrow; and her two sisters: Betty Harrah and Nancy Daniels, both of California.
Kay’s children want to extend heartfelt thanks to the many friends and family for the loving support over the last several months. Special thanks also to Dr. Mark Wrona and his nurse practitioner, Kathy, at New England Cancer Specialists. A special thanks to Hospice of Southern Maine, especially Kay’s nurse, Donna; social worker, Edie; and Chaplain David, who provided exceptional care over the last several weeks of Kay’s life.
Visiting hours will be held at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at New Life Church, 551 Alfred Road, Biddeford.
Friends are welcome to gather with the family at a reception following the funeral at Hillcrest Retirement Community, 126 Route 1, Scarborough, in the Community Center.
To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.athutchins.com.
Katherine Baird
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