SCARBOROUGH – Eleanor “Ellie” McKeon, 87, died on Jan. 28, 2022 at Bay Square at Yarmouth after a short illness.

Ellie was born on June 28, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late George R. and Mary (Schivetz) Spencer. Ellie attended local schools in Connecticut and graduated from the Norwich Free Academy (NFA) in 1952. One of Ellie’s most special memories was being a member of NFA’s Drum and Bugle Corp and marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

While in high school Ellie started dating Gerald “Jerry” McKeon and the high school sweethearts married on Oct. 18, 1952 in St. Joseph’s Church in Occum, Conn. Together they raised two children, Debi and Jeffrey. Ellie worked as a bookkeeper and medical transcriptionist for the State of Connecticut at the Norwich State Hospital for many years.

Jerry and Ellie moved to Whistler’s Landing in Scarborough in 1997 where they became active parishioners of St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. Ellie was active at St. Max, assisting with church bridge, the bereavement committee, K of C Columbiettes and as a Eucharistic minister.

While Jerry and Ellie enjoyed trips to Alaska, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland in retirement, their love for Maine began in 1968 in Belgrade Lakes where they summered for the next 50-plus years and built lifelong friendships and special memories. Ellie enjoyed antiquing, bridge and volunteering for the Scarborough Library and Maine Medical Center, Scarborough Campus, for many years. Her favorite times included Portland Pops Concerts, antique shows, cocktail hours in Belgrade Lakes and the time she spent with Jerry, her children and grandchildren.

Ellie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, Jerry, just seven months earlier on June 22, 2021; and a sister, Diane Spencer. Ellie is survived by her children, Debi Cheeseman of South Portland, Jeffrey McKeon and wife Barbara of Windham, N.H.; a brother, George Spencer Jr. of Florida, sister-in-law, Geraldine McKeon of Connecticut; three grandchildren, Patrick and Laura Cheeseman, Pace McKeon; grandson-in-law, Matt Adey; and her beloved cat, Slugger.

Ellie’s family will forever be grateful for the caring, skilled and supportive staff of Bay Square at Yarmouth and Compassus Hospice of Scarborough.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd., Scarborough. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view Ellie’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ellie’s name to the Norwich Free Academy Scholarship Fund http://www.nfafoundation.org/scholarships/donate

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