Joyce M. Kaler, 68, of Bremen, passed away peacefully at her home on the evening of May 5 with her loving family by her side. Joyce joined her life partner in heaven after 10 years apart. Born in Clinton, Tenn. on March 29, 1948, she was the daughter of Robert and Artie (Hendricks) Smith. Joyce grew up in Tennessee and attended schools there.
On a weekend vacation to Maine, she met Robert E. Kaler Sr., and it was love at first sight…at least for one of them. Robert immediately fell in love with Joyce, and risking sanction from the military, he hitchhiked all the way to Tennessee to find her. His persistence paid off, and the couple married in August of 1968.
Joyce had many different occupations throughout the years; she worked as a seafood packer and picker, a housekeeper, and she loved being on the forefront of home health care when she was a care provider to people in their homes. Joyce loved her time as a Sunday school teacher at the Bremen Union Church. Above all else, she was a loving wife and mother who raised five children.
She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, and loved playing Yahtzee with her good friend, Ruth. She was a volunteer at Miles Memorial Hospital, enjoyed playing bingo, going to yard sales, sitting on the porch with family and friends, and trips to her favorite islands. More than anything, she loved being with her children, grandchildren, and the countless “adopted” children whom she thought of as family.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Robert Kaler Sr.; grandson, Shawn Cowan Jr.; father- and mother-in-law, Andrew and Jessie (Genthner) Kaler; sister, Mildred Seeber; brothers- and sisters-in-law, David Piehl, Carolyn Miller, Roy Seeber, Ronnie Phillips, Marjorie Poland, Clyde Poland, and Junior Phillips; niece, Leah Smith; great-nephew, Cody Bunch; and nephew-in-law, Anestis Giantsio.
She is survived by children, Anne-Marie Smith of Bremen and boyfriend Jeff Lyons of Manchester, Robert Kaler Jr. and girlfriend Nichole of Bremen, Melissa Hill and husband Corey of Abbot, Kimberly Kaler and boyfriend Paul of Bremen, and April Cowan and husband Shawn of New Harbor; grandchildren, Breanna York, Brenden Cowan, Logan Kaler, Danika Hill, Nadia Smith, Zoe Cowan, Shanoah Hill, Martina Hill, Ariel Cowan, Hannah Cowan, Nathan Burr and Syerra Holmstrom; future great-grandson, Kaler York; siblings and their families, Shirley Phillips, Gloria Phillips, and James Smith, all of Tennessee, Eidlene Piehl of Massachusetts, and Robert Smith of the Philippines; in-laws, Howard Kaler, Walter Kaler, Nancy Soule, and Jessie Wile; as well as some special people in her life, Ruth Prior, Ruth Poland, Rhonda Flower, Priscilla Eastman, Jane Simmons, Charlotte Simmons, and Sheila McLain.
She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Evergreen Cemetery in Bremen, at 10 a.m., Wed., May 11. A celebration of her life will follow at 11 a.m. at the Bremen Union Church – the same church she spearheaded the restoration of, and reopening of the doors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joyce Kaler Memorial Fund, ℅ Damariscotta Bank & Trust, PO Box 999, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
