Kathleen Tibbetts (“Kay”) of Steep Falls, passed away in her home in the early morning of September 9, 2023, with her family by her side, after bravely facing a long period of declining health.

She was 81 when she died after having enjoyed a well-lived life as a caring mom, affectionate grandmother, playful friend, appreciative employer and beloved matriarch of many community homes that served and enhanced the lives of countless clients.

Born on June 3, 1942, to Alice and Robert Foster she was raised and grew up in Round Pond, Maine. She was a lively and loving child. At an early age, she worked alongside her family in their many business ventures. She waitressed when her family built and started the first restaurant in Round Pond — the Anchor Inn. She tended younger siblings, tended her family antique shop in the building where Round Pond Coffee now stands. While attending Bristol High School, she enjoyed running track and jumping hurdles. Kay spent summers jumping in for a swim in the harbor before work or taking the 1951 Ford sedan to Biscay loaded with family or friends, or helping make crabmeat rolls for the family food concessions, book-keeping and running antiques at her family’s antique auctions.

After high school, she attended the University of Maine to study nursing. She soon married and gave birth to a son whom she loved dearly.

Kay always longed for adventure. In her early 40s she decided to learn to fly a plane. It was not uncommon for her to be found sailing out of Portland Harbor making the sixth on a sailing crew, or free diving off enormous boulders in Sebago Lake State Park, snorkeling in Mexico, or in the Caribbean, or Puerto Rico. She was very generous. Encouraging others to come along and enjoy Mexico with her, Excaret was one of her favorite destinations.

Kay truly appreciated theater. It was a joy she gladly fostered in her granddaughter Justine. She took enormous pleasure in hearing others sing, especially Justine. Kay felt proud of her family and felt fortunate to have grandchildren nearby.

An animal lover, she had welcomed many animals on her farm, often for the pleasure of clients that shared her home. She raised horses, chickens, cats, dogs, even peacocks at different times. She enjoyed her hot tub, pool and the heavily bearing fruit trees that grew beside it.

Kathleen was a positive person. She found great strength in her faith and in focusing on what is good and true and beautiful. She constantly tried to think of what was good and to think of others even toward the end when experiencing pain. She would begin a conversation habitually by telling what had happened that day and following it with “and THAT was a good thing!”

Beauty gave her strength and she noticed beauty in little everyday things. Birds at a feeder, a grandchild’s hug, a candle, a child’s smile, a flower or favorite song brought her considerable joy.

Her legacy is one of compassion and passion. Though Kay will of course be truly missed she will not be forgotten. Her memory will live on in the hearts of countless people she loved and in joyful memories she created with so many along the way.

Kay leaves behind her loving son Mark Tibbetts and wife Maureen of Steep Falls. She was known as “Nana” by her grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Foster of Newcastle and wife Marilyn; sister, Sandy Holme of Bristol and her husband Charles; and sister Anne Bourne of Bristol, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A service will be held Saturday, September 23 at 1 p.m. at Living Stone Community Church, 711 Ossipee Trail W, Standish, ME 04084.