Words are poor tokens of remembrance, but they’re all we have so they must do.
Audrey Viles McGee, of New Gloucester, died peacefully with her family at her side while recovering from surgery at Mercy Hospital in Portland on Sept. 6.
Audrey was born in Skowhegan, Maine, on October 25, 1942, to Raymond and Helen (Smith) Viles. After her mother died in 1946, Audrey was adopted by her aunt and uncle, Ralph and Ethel Viles. She lived with them in Anson, attended Garret Schenck Elementary School, graduated from Madison Memorial High School in 1961, and then from Farmington State Teachers College (now UMF) in 1965.
Following graduation from FSTC she began her teaching career at Lake Street School in Auburn and went on to teach at Russell School in Gray and finally Memorial School in New Gloucester. Her teaching was interrupted from 1969 to 1980 when she raised her two daughters at home. The generations of children she taught to love reading continue to enrich the world to this day and beyond her life.
On her first day at FSTC she met Carl McGee. They dated through college, got married on June 12, 1965, and were inseparable for the next 58 years.
Audrey was a member of the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester, and served as the superintendent of the Sunday school and as head of the board of Deacons. In retirement she volunteered at the Good Shepherd Food Bank. She was known for her sewing and crafts. Her braided rugs and quilts grace homes from Maine to Japan, Florida, California, and Minnesota. She was always known for her mischievous spirit of fun and her love of adventure.
She is survived by her husband Carl, daughter Jennifer McGee and her husband Danny Molden of Nagoya, and daughter Rebecca McGee of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also leaves two granddaughters, Magdalena and Clara, whom she loved with a fierce devotion. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and Ralph and Ethel Viles and her siblings Glenn, Shirley, and Robert. Audrey also leaves behind many special people, including the Bearces, Simpsons, and Pollards, Rosalie Trask, and especially “her boys.”
The family would like to thank the care and support of the medical staff at Mercy Hospital, in particular Dr. Grohman.
All are invited to a memorial service at the New Gloucester Congregational Church on Sept. 15 at 1:00PM, followed by a celebration of life in the vestry.
Caring for others was always foremost in her life; therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Native Future Education Fund, 34 Taylor Street, Portland Maine, 04102. Online donations can be made to nativefuture.org/donate. Please select “Native Education” as the program.
— The McGee Family
