Cathy (Hunkins) McKeel

Cath was an awesome mom who loved her children wholeheartedly.  Always overprotective and full of loving advice, she greeted everyone with a smile and always put others before herself. After quietly fighting a nearly 2-year battle with brain cancer, she passed peacefully on Saturday, September 3 ^rd surrounded by most of her closest family members. Cath had a HUGE HEART and gave the BEST HUGS! She will be deeply missed by her husband Dan, her daughter Katie and son Steven.

Born into this world on May 15 ^th , 1963, to Marion and Robert Hunkins. Cath grew up in Kittery spending her early years with her 3 older siblings and quite a bit of her pre-teen years traveling the countryside in an RV with her parents.  She graduated from Traip in 1982 and went on to earn her associate degree from Thomas College in 1984. She married her high school sweetheart, Dan on a cool Friday the 13 ^th in November 1987 and moved into a brand-new home in South Berwick the following January. From there she started a new chapter in her life with Dan.  Raising Katie and Steven, nurturing them from preschool through high school, watching them play sports at the local ball fields and volunteering in the community.

Rarely in any hurry, Cath took the time to soak it all in and enjoy her life. Whether it be reading and relaxing or spending time with family and friends. Every year she would look forward to "real Spring" when the tulips were in full bloom and the sun was warm. Even though the idea of cooking didn't thrill her, she was always enthusiastic making breakfast dishes for her annual Easter brunch in anticipation of seeing everyone gathered around enjoying each other's company. She couldn't wait for "neighbors' weekend" at our friend's lake house every summer and would get excited watching the kids play soccer every fall.  She was a wealth of knowledge when it came to giving friends and family advice on navigating Disney World and was the perfect co-pilot on many long family road trips up and down the Atlantic coast.

For the last 38 years Cath has been a hard-working dedicated employee who made many lasting friendships in the workplace along the way.  She took pride in her work and genuinely enjoyed her profession and the teams she worked with, especially the last 10 years.  Even after surgery to remove the tumor from her brain she could not wait to get back to work doing what she loved.

Cath is survived by her brothers Chris Hunkins of Sturbridge, MA and Richard Hunkins of Sanford, ME. Mother and father in-law, Eileen and Charlie McKeel of Kittery, ME. Sister in-law Terry Poulin and her husband Rick of South Berwick, ME. Sister's in-law Pat and Cindy McKeel. Her closest nieces, Amy, Nicolle, Roxanne and Sarah as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother Marion, her father Rob and sister Nancy Currier.

Her entire family would like to thank the team at Mass General as well as the kind, caring and friendly staff at the Seacoast Cancer Center, the visiting therapists from York Hospital and the nurses from Wentworth Home Care and Wentworth Hospice. A special thank you to Anya for having a magic touch getting her ready for her infusions and her sister in-law Terry for being there when she needed it the most. You all did a remarkable job taking care of her! Thank you!

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Cathy's name to an organization of your choice.

Services: A time of visitation will take place at the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, ME,  5-7p, on Friday, October 14th. There will be a funeral service the following day, Saturday, October 15th, at the First Parish Federated Church, 150 Main St, South Berwick, ME 03908, at 10a. To leave online condolences please visit www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . Care for the McKeel family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home.