LEWISTON — With each of her daughters holding one of her hands, Madeline Kennedy Ingraham passed away peacefully on April 24. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Keith H. Ingraham, who passed in 2008.

Born Nov. 2, 1928, in southern Aroostook County, she was the daughter of William Dougal Kennedy and Mildred St. Germaine Kennedy. She learned to drive in the fields, double clutching trucks by the time she was 12. A strong student and avid basketball player, she met the love of her life, Keith Huggard Ingraham, at Sherman High School. By their graduation in 1946, they were planning a life together. When her much-loved father died unexpectedly that fall, she demonstrated the energy, courage, resourcefulness and strong work ethic that would characterize her life. With the rest of her family in shock, she organized all arrangements for her father, as well as brought in and marketed the potato crop.

She and Keith married Nov. 7, 1947, beginning 60 years of devotion to each other and their family. As they became established, she worked as a beautician, then in retail. When they moved to Bangor in 1952, she and Keith began building and selling houses. Whether laying hardwood floors, painting cabinets or designing floor plans, Madeline worked long and hard, with efficiency and excellent results.

What she most enjoyed, however, was cooking. Daughter Dolly recalls, “Mom could feed an army on half an hour’s notice.” Family, neighbors, coworkers, daughters’ friends — all were welcome at her abundant table, and all raved about her bread and desserts. A woman well ahead of her time, she opened a bakery using all natural ingredients, with no preservatives. She built her business with competence and nerve, establishing a place for her product in competition with much bigger companies. Skilled in math and talented in getting things done, she ran the highly successful Ingraham’s Bakery until Keith became chairman of the Maine Liquor Commission in 1967 and they moved to Augusta. There they built a home on Maranacook Lake in Readfield and later a retirement home in south Florida. Daughter Belinda notes, “Dad always credited Mom with managing their finances and making their long retirement possible. He’d say in appreciation, `without her, I’d have had nothing.’” Together, they had many happy years in Port St. Lucie, surrounded by warmth, palm trees, bougainvillea and good friends.

She loved animals, especially their red toy poodle,Tia, who supervised in the kitchen. When her mobility became limited, she always made sure to watch Animal Planet. Although she had been unable to complete nursing training due to health issues, she maintained a lifelong interest in medicine. She and Keith shared a strong commitment to the political process and great empathy for people in need. They voted in every election. Madeline liked to figure things out and could predict the ending by halfway through a movie.

Her greatest love was for her family. She was ambitious for her daughters and proud of their accomplishments. Her granddaughter, Heather, brought great joy to her life. They developed a close bond when Madeline left her job to care for Heather during the day while Dolly was at work. Now, with young children of her own, Heather truly understands and appreciates the energy, love and patience her Mimi shared. Madeline was thrilled later in life when her great-granddaughter was named Abby Madeleine. The arrival of great grandson, Sawyer Keith, this fall was equally treasured.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Linnie Robinson; and, in Dec. 2008, her husband, Keith.

She is survived by daughter, Dolly, and son-in-law, Richard Bois, who provided loving care for her in their Lewiston home during the past three years, daughter, Belinda, and son-in-law, Christopher Snell, of Scarborough; granddaughter, Heather, and husband, Eric Bruskin, of Kensington, Md.; and great-grandchildren, Abby Madeleine and Sawyer Keith Bruskin.

The family is grateful to Lisa Prevost of Lewiston, who looked after Madeline with much skill and kindness. Edna Jones of Poland brightened her days as well.