Annie was born April 29, 1936, in Portland, the daughter of Edwin A. and Della M. (Hatt) Sawyer. She was raised in Portland, and attended local schools. As a 13-year-old teenager, Annie began working as a waitress in various restaurants. Her spunk and warm smile greeted each customer!
She then went to work in the local shoe shops and at Biddeford Tannery. Annie worked in many different positions at Pepperell Mill, and retired in 1999 from Biddeford Textile.
While out dancing one night, Annie danced with a handsome man who captured her heart, Henry McKeown. Annie took classes in sign language so she could have a conversation with her future mother-in-law. By this simple act of kindness, it endeared her even more into Henry’s heart. They married on July 1, 1974, and together with a blended family, made their home in Parsonsfield.
They worked hard together, raising their children and sharing their love of gardening. Annie became an expert in preserving the bountiful harvests, making bread-n-butter pickles, pickle beets and apple butter. Annie cooked from scratch, and loved to visit with family and friends over a plate of hot muffins.
She and Henry enjoyed dancing at the Wagon Wheel and day trips to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. They took trips out West to Colorado and Las Vegas, and many memories were made when they flew to Hawaii.
Annie was a gracious and kind woman. She was truly the matriarch of her large and active household. She forgave easily, and had an open mind and heart towards others.
Annie was a woman of great faith; she knitted prayer shawls, was a praying partner within the Prayer Chain, and was an active Eucharistic Minister at St. Matthew’s in Limerick. Each morning, she and Henry would say their morning prayers, recite the rosary together, and then – play a fierce game of Yahtzee! Annie had a great sense of humor too.
Annie will be remembered for her genuine caring of others and her devotion to her husband and family. She has now entered into eternal rest, and in once again reunited with her children, Tammy Goble, Debra Ingalls and Yvonne McKeown. She was also preceded in death by her half-brother, Irving Sawyer, and half-sister, Florence Haskell.
She is lovingly survived by: her husband of 42 years, Henry McKeown of Parsonsfield; her children, Debra Kenney of Old Orchard Beach, John and Michael McKeown of Biddeford, Janice Ingalls of Georgia, Robert Ingalls of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Lisa Ingalls of Wells; 19 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, at Autumn Green Funeral Home, 47 Oak St., Alfred. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 19 Dora Lane, Limerick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.
The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit autumngreenfuneralhome.com.
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