Kathleen Hunter

Kathleen “Kay” Hunter, 78, passed away at her home in Hampden, on Friday, April 5, 2024. She was born on October 20, 1945, in Crystal, ME.

Kay graduated from Patten Academy in 1963, in the top three of her class, and lived in Patten until 1980. She belonged to the dramatic society and put on many pageants, was a member of the Stetson United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the choir for many years. She had a beautiful voice and gave her children, Vicki and Eric, a love of music that has lasted a lifetime. Singing along to Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, and Neil Diamond on 8 tracks in the car is a fond memory for Vicki. Following graduation, Kay attended Husson University, and was an EMT for the Patten Ambulance service. In 1978, she was fired for aiding a dying man lying in the road in Sherman, a town which did not have a contract for services with the Patten ambulance. She was never sorry she helped try and save a life, even if it cost her dearly. As far as she was concerned, health care was a right and town lines meant nothing compared to that. Kay went back to school for her LPN in 1980. She graduated from EMVTI in 1982 and received her RN in 1984. She worked in many different areas of nursing, doing IV therapy for home bound patients through New England Home Health Care, but spent the most time at EMMC on different floors, ending up at Cancer Care of Maine before she retired. She loved this work, even though it was the hardest thing she ever did. She loved the patients, their families and the nurses, doctors and staff there. Drs. Brooks and Openshaw had a special place in her heart.

Later in her life, Kay cared for and eventually adopted her grandchild, Autumn Hunter. Kay and Nancy raised Autumn, taking her for adventures in Northern Maine, and fostering her love for animals. Kay and Autumn lived together for many years in Hampden, and Kay was very fond of her grand-dog, Rue.

Kay was an avid reader, she loved volunteering when Vicki and Eric were little at Patten Primary School, and at the McGraw School library when her granddaughter, Autumn Hunter, was a student there. When Evan and Parker Hunter came along, Kay was very involved in their lives, attending many athletic and school events.

In addition to her parents, Kay was predeceased by her partner of 34 years, Alice Nancy Black; foster daughter, Sandy Montgonery; son, Eric Hunter, and brother, Michael Grant. She is survived by her daughter, Victoria Leavitt and her husband, Brett, of Newburgh; a daughter-in-law, Cheri Hunter of Bangor; her grandchildren; Rogan Winch and his wife, Alexandria, of Penobscot, Gabriel Winch and his partner, Daniela Lily Rodiles, of Boston, Bethany Leavitt and her husband, Scott Johnson, of Orono, Autumn Hunter and her partner, Sam Sury, of Brewer, Evan and Parker Hunter of Bangor; brothers, Robert Grant and Brian Grant; Nancy’s children, whom she considered family, Robert X. Black, Elizabeth Black, Kathy Largay, Douglas Black, and Bernadine Black, as well as their families.

Relatives and friends may call from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Hampden at a later date. Donations in Kay’s memory may be made to Cancer Care of Maine, Northern Light EMMC, at the following link: https://northernlighthealth.org/giveemmc.