Catherine W. “Kit” Ames, 59, of Fort Fairfield, wife of Dale M. Ames, died Feb. 24 in the presence of several members of her loving family at a Presque Isle healthcare facility, after a long illness.
She was born June 3, 1951 in Damariscotta, the daughter of Lester and Willa (Peck) Vinal. She was a graduate of Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, and went on to further her education at Thomas College, Waterville, the University of Maine at Machias, and the University of Maine at Orono, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1978. She was married to Dale M. Ames on March 24, 1979 and had been employed by Dr. Eric Hunter, DVM for many years and more recently at both the Caribou and Presque Isle Animal Hospitals, as a veterinary technician. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Aroostook Animal Welfare Awareness Group (AAWAG) in Mapleton. Kit was known for her love and dedication to her family and friend and for her affection and selfless commitment to animals and their welfare.
Kit was predeceased by her father Lester, and sister-in-law, Tally (Jackson) Vinal.
She is survived by husband, Dale M. Ames of Fort Fairfield; mother, Willa Vinal of Nobleboro; daughter, Andrea L. Ames and companion Douglas Harber of Ellsworth; daughter, Wendy L. Ames and husband James Neilson and grandson, Nicholas M. Vazquez, all of Palo Alto, Cal.; sister, Jeanne Gram and husband Bruce of Orono; sister, Margaret Grover and husband Mark of Freeport; brother, Larry Vinal and wife Diane of Augusta; sister, Cally Bartholomae and husband Greg of Jefferson; brother, John Vinal and wife Lena of Edgecomb; brother, Christopher Vinal of Nobleboro; sister, Heather Vinal and companion Barbara Bagg of Portland, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m., Fri., March 4 at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Celebration of Kit’s life 11 a.m., Sat., March 5 at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Diane Langworthy officiating. A time of continued fellowship and refreshments will be held at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187, Presque Isle St., Fort Fairfield, immediately after the service. A memorial service will also be held in her hometown of Nobleboro at a date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Kit to Aroostook Cancer Care, P.O. Box 150, Presque Isle, ME 04769; Aroostook Animal Welfare Awareness Group (AAWAG), 375 Creasey Ridge Rd., Mapleton, ME 04757; or Tally Vinal Fund, c/o LCH Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
