GRAY — Bertha Rachel Tompson Kimball, 85, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 28, at home in Gray, with her husband by her side.

She was born on Aug. 28, 1926, the daughter of Charles and Alfretta Kenney Thompson, at the family farm on Route 231 in North Yarmouth. She attended grade schools in North Yarmouth and her freshman and sophomore years at North Yarmouth Academy, before moving with her family to Standish for her junior and senior years, graduating from Standish High School in 1945.

She was an active member of the North Yarmouth Congregational Church as a child and then the Standish Congregational Church, after her family sold the family farm in North Yarmouth and moved to the Tompson residence in Standish, which is now The Main Street Grill, at the corner of Routes 25 and 35.

She was active in 4H and she won many awards for seamstress and dressmaking during her life, including the 4H Style Dress Review Award in 1945, attending the 25th Annual Congress of 4H Delegates at Stevens Hotel, Chicago Ill. on Dec.3, 1945. She also was runner up for The National Grange Dress Making two years in a row in 1957 and 1958.

After graduating high school, she was employed at Westbrook Star Laundry, and during that time met and married Gordon L. Kimball on Aug. 20, 1949. In 1952, she moved to Cheyenne, Wyo. to be with her husband, who was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB until February 1954, when she returned to Maine while her husband was stationed in Korea.

She was a life member of Golden Sheaf Chapter No. 114, Order of The Eastern Star in New Gloucester, where she was a Past Worthy Matron. She was also a Past District Deputy Grand Matron, Past Grand Representative, Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland. She was also a member and Past Noble Grand of Fidelity Lodge Order of Rebekars in Auburn, Past Deputy President, Rebekah Lodge of Maine, a member Nina Lodge Rebekah Lodge No. 86 in Lisbon, a member of Sabbathday Lake Grange, New Gloucester, member and Past President of Auburn Assembly No. 262, Social Order of  The Beauseant.

Bertha and her husband of 62 years were fortunate to be able to spend much of the past 25 years traveling the U.S., Alaska, and the Canadian Maritime Provences, including several trips to Newfoundland.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gordon Sr.; three sons, Gordon Jr., Bruce and his RuthAnn, Ralph and his wife, Brenda, all of Gray; two sisters, Evelyn Pushor and Lois Crocker; grandchildren, Tory, Jessica, Adam, Jason, Brian, Michael, Amanda, Don and Derek; great-grandchildren, Riley, Peyton, Landon, Jocelyn, Gracelyn, and Oliver.

She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, David, John, Albert, sisters, Elizebeth Barter Courtois, Frances Wilson, Alberta Bennett; and two grandsons, Nathan and Johnathan.

We would like to extend our appreciation to the VNA Home Health and Hospice for their services.