SOUTH PARIS – Alice Marie (Kenoyer) Probert, 91, died at Maine Veterans Home in South Paris on September 25, 2008 of natural causes.
One of ten children, Alice was born in Sturgis, South Dakota, on Aug. 9, 1917, daughter of Henry Everet and Annie Berry Kenoyer. In 1928 she moved from Iowa with her family to South China, ME. She attended Erskine Academy and graduated valedictorian in 1934. Following her graduation from Farmington State Normal School Alice began teaching, first at Fairbanks School then transferring to the New Vineyard School. She married Albert Probert, Jr. in South China in September 1940 and moved to Strong, Maine.
Alice was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. After raising six children, she returned to her teaching career in 1969 at Strong Elementary School where she taught until 1987. She taught sixth grade homeroom, English, Literature, Drama, and especially loved her “Great Books” classes. Raised in the Quaker Religion, upon settling in Strong, Alice joined the Strong Methodist Church where she was a devoted member. Her faith was very important to her. She also belonged to the Eastern Star and The Ladies Auxiliary.
Alice enjoyed the art of knitting, sewing, and embroidering. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle extraordinaire. Alice had a true passion for working in her flower garden and watching birds feasting from her many feeders. She loved spending time with her beloved husband Toby at their camp on Little Jim Pond in Eustis, ME. You could find the two of them playing cribbage at least once a day. Alice was also fond of traveling and made trips to the Caribbean Islands, England, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece, and spent three weeks touring China sailing down the Yangtze River in 1987.
Alice is survived by five children: Gordon Probert, Patricia Gott, Randall Probert, and David Probert all of Maine, and Russell Probert of Nevada. She is also survived by four brothers and sisters: Joseph Kenoyer of South Carolina, Helen Mosher, Ruth Polley, and John Kenoyer all of Maine, and a cousin Charles Sisson of Texas, as well as six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Annie and Henry Kenoyer, her husband Albert Probert, grandson Toby Probert, daughter Rebecca Stanton, sister Martha Lamb, and brothers Jean, Winfred, Robert, and Russell Kenoyer.
A memorial service will be held at the Strong Methodist Church on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 at 1 pm with Rev. Gary Hubley officiating. Immediately following will be a graveside service at Strong Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Maine Veteran’s Home, Unit B, 477 High Street, South Paris, Maine 04281. Arrangements under the direction of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St, Farmington.
