Gwendolyn Andersen has passed away at the age of 89. She was the mother of our current Treasurer, Charlene Andersen. I did not personally know Gwendolyn or her husband Donald but after reading her obituary I wish I’d had a chance to get to know this couple. They were Clary Lake Association members “back in the day” long before I got involved with the Association. Looking through old association records I find Gwendolyn and Donald’s names on a membership list from the year 1999 which is as far back as I have digital records. Charlene’s parents and grandparents bought adjoining camps on the west shore of the lake off Hornpout Lane back in the early 1960s which are still in the family today. By 2020, the main Andersen camp was getting pretty tired and Charlene and her sister Pennilyn were able to engage the Maine Cabin Masters to give their camp a new lease on life (see Episode 603 of Season 6). There is a 40 minute video of the project supposedly available on various subscription services (I just watched it on Hulu). Gwendolyn makes an appearance at the end of the video to see the completed project.

The Board offers their condolences to Charlene and her family for the loss of their mother. Gwendolyn’s official obituary can be found at the Cota Funeral Home website. It is duplicated in part here. Continue reading →

Bill was a talented and accomplished individual. We’re still using the “Ice Cream Social” signs he made for us. He will be missed. This Obituary can be found at Direct Cremation of Maine.

WHITEFIELD – William Corliss McKeen of Whitefield, Maine passed away on January 8th at his home with his beloved wife, Susan, by his side. He was born in Millinocket, Maine on February 16, 1941, the son of Edwin and Verna McKeen. He graduated from Camden High School in 1959.

Bill was a graphic designer, painter, genealogist, history buff and a collector of coins, guns, diecast car models, books and antiques. Bill’s interests were boundless. He began his professional career at the age of 5 when he sold his first painting at the corner store in Rockport. Bill went on to become a maker of hand-painted signs. His design talents soon took him to Presque Isle where he became television art director at WAGM TV. Soon after he put his many talents together as a newspaper designer at The Aroostook Star Herald in Presque Isle, Courier Gazette in Rockland and the Coastal Journal in Bath where he became owner and  publisher. After selling the Coastal Journal Bill formed an advertising agency, McKeen & Associates in Bath. His next project took him full circle back to producing signs, but this time using digital technology, by forming Minuteman Signs located in Augusta. Continue reading →

Our love and compassion go out to Hillary Relyea and her husband Ben Gerdts over the loss of  their son Harvey earlier this month. He was just shy of 5 years old. Hillary sent me this news and some pictures this morning and asked if I would share with our Clary community.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved son, Harvey Jennison, who left us too soon on January 2nd. He brought boundless joy and laughter into our lives with his inquisitive nature, love of art and puzzles, and compassion for all. His smile, always accompanied by a twinkle in his eye, was a reflection of his vibrant, infectious happiness. He cherished his family and embraced his role as a big brother and oldest cousin. Though Harv’s time with us was too brief, the love and memories we shared will forever remain in our hearts. Continue reading →

It is with sadness that I report the passing of a good friend and another long time Clary Lake Association member. He died at home the afternoon of Wednesday, January 8th. He was proud of his Scottish heritage. More to follow.

It’s been a year of love and loss here on Clary Lake, two seemingly conflicting emotions which actually go hand in hand. It is with sadness that we mark the passing of yet another long time Clary Lake Association member, Audrey Relyea. I’ve spent a little time with Audrey off and on over the years. I would have liked the opportunity to get to know her better! The Relyea family over the years has played a significant role in the Association, and continues to do so. Her husband Bruce Relyea who is no longer with us was President of the Clary Lake Association in the early 2000s, and her son Steven is our current Vice President. Her granddaughter Hillary Relyea is our newest Board member. The family owns property on the South side of Clary Lake in Jefferson.

The following obituary recently appeared in the Fort Worth Star Telegram: Continue reading →

It is with great sadness that I post this obituary of Rick Gallion that appeared in today’s online version of the Central Maine Papers. Rick always had a ready smile, a hearty laugh, and a helping hand which he extended freely and often. He will be missed.

JEFFERSON – Richard B. Gallion, 77, died suddenly on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Rick was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 11, 1947, the son of the late Virgil A. and Doris E. (Johnson) Gallion. He grew up in southeast Kansas and earned a B.A. in French literature from Pittsburg State University.

Rick served as a Green Beret in the United States Army but had conflicted feelings about the U.S. military. Rick married Saundra Mackey while he was in the service, and they divorced some years later after many adventures together. Saundra preceded in him death.

On Oct. 5, 1996, Rick married the love of his life, Linda S. Marrs Farrell, at the Topeka Kansas Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Together they shared 28 wonderful years of marriage. Continue reading →

I received word earlier today from Linda Gallion that her husband and business partner, Rick Gallion, passed away yesterday, very suddenly. Rick ran the Clary Lake Woodworking School and he and Linda together have run the Clary Lake Bed and Breakfast for the past 20 years. Rick was a good friend. He was 77 years old. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Linda and the family in this sad time.

I have known Diane for years, I honestly can’t remember when we first met. She’s always had a ready smile, a quick laugh, and a kind word to say whenever I saw her. The picture at left (and above) taken by her grandson, Andrew Seba, truly embodies the joyful, playful spirit of this woman. Both she and her husband Ed were close friends of my family, and they’ve been Clary Lake Association members since the very early days. I last saw Diane at a gathering last fall at her home on Clary Lake. The party was well attended and she was, as usual, in rare form. She will be remembered, and she will be missed. The following is her obituary which was sent to me by her daughter Kate Grant Seba. 
George Fergusson, 01 September 2024

Lydia “Diane” Smith Grant, a native of Bath, Maine, and long-time resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the age of 97. Continue reading →