NEW GLOUCESTER — Madeline F. King, 82, of New Gloucester, died Thursday, July 28, after a long illness.

She was born in Portland, daughter of Harry R. and Lillian B. Flye. She attended Yarmouth schools and graduated from North Yarmouth Academy, where she was a member of the National Honor Society.

As a girl, she spent many happy summers with her Uncle Earl on the Whitney family farm on Oak Hill in Standish.

Following high school and until the birth of her first daughter, she worked as a secretary at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Portland.

Madeline was introduced to her future husband, William King, by his late sister, Joan, in 1953. When they were dating, they loved to go dancing on Saturday nights at the old Palace Park and Pier Casino Ballrooms in Old Orchard Beach to the music of big-band and swing-era bandleaders such as Tommy Dorsey and Louis Armstrong. Another of their favorite spots was the Lakeland Dance Hall in North Windham. Their love of dancing, particularly the jitterbug, continued throughout their life together.

They were married in June 1956 and began married life in South Portland. In 1961 they moved to a new home in Cumberland, built by her husband, where they lived until 1998, when they moved to New Gloucester.

In their retirement years, Madeline and her husband enjoyed car trips to many destinations around the United States. They traveled several times to Branson, Mo., to enjoy shows at the many theaters there. Other trips included the Grand Canyon, Colorado, Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls and New Brunswick, Canada. Each February for many years they made trips to Florida to visit her husband’s dear aunt and uncle, Norman and Mary King.

Madeline was kind, gentle and selfless. She was a devoted wife and mother who lovingly cared for her family. She took a great deal of pride in keeping her home immaculate. Madeline was a wonderful cook who served homemade meals to her family every night. When her daughters were young, she made many of their clothes, including the dresses for their first day of school each year.

Following their move to New Gloucester, Madeline and her husband joined the AMVETS Post No. 6. As a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, she volunteered at monthly bean suppers and bingo games for the residents of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough.

Madeline was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Clayton W. Flye of Phoenix, Ariz.; and uncles, Leland H. and Earl L. Whitney, both of Standish.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, William G. King of New Gloucester; daughters, Pamela S. of Pownal and Linda J. of North Yarmouth; and a nephew, Tracey C. Flye of White Pine, Mich.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and caregivers at the Lamp Memory Care Center in Lisbon and Beacon Hospice of Auburn for their kindness and compassion during the last weeks of Madeline’s life.