West Baldwin - Anne "Shirley" Eastwood MacNeill McKenney, age 94, passed away on December 22, 2019 at her home.
She was born in Providence, Rhode Island to G.E.Chester Eastwood and Grace Burgess Eastwood. She is survived by her beloved daughter Karen MacNeill, as well as her oldest sister Elinor Eastwood Vicario, of Providence and her youngest sister Patricia Eastwood Kann, of Brooklyn, NY. She was predeceased by her brother Daniel Eastwood and sister Virginia Eastwood Beachen. She is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
During junior high, she wrote to the governor of Texas, and gained not only a ten gallon hat, but also a pen pal, a girl of the same age, who exchanged letters with her for 50+ years. They eventually met each other during a visit to Texas in the 90's. Shirley was awarded the Anthony Medal at junior high graduation for scholastic achievement. She attended Mt. Pleasant HS, where she was Editor in Chief on the yearbook staff, and graduated with honors. She attended the University of Rhode Island for 2 years. She became a member of the Rhode Island State Grange, where she met Russell MacNeill. When they married, they lived in Prince Edward Island, which was coincidentally the setting of the popular Anne of Green Gables books, after which Anne Shirley was named.
Her daughter Karen was born on the Island. After two years of schooling in a typical one-room schoolhouse, the family returned to Rhode Island and larger public schools. Summers were spent on PEI.
Shirley later married Elwin Lester McKenney and lived in West Baldwin, Maine. There she became a member of the United Methodist church and the West Baldwin Grange. Her husband played the organ at church services and was also in the Grange.
Shirley was a remarkable woman who pursued her dreams. She loved to travel and planned for family trips. We visited two World Fairs; the Gaspe Peninsula; Lake Louise, Alberta; Oregon; California; Quebec City and St. Kitts.
For many years Shirley sponsored a student, a young girl from the Pestalozzi Village in East Sussex, England, until she graduated high school. Through the many letters, cards and Valentines, they formed a friendship. Eventually, this student was able to finish medical school and become a doctor. (Now, her daughter has completed her medical degree, as well.) Their families visited back and forth also, England, Maine and later, Scotland.
Shirley had a gift for inspiring people to reach their goals. She had a big heart and a great sense of humor. She loved animals and nature. The family always had at least one dog, and one cat.
Shirley will be missed by many.
Per her request, there will be a graveside service in the spring at the Old West Baldwin Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, Maine. Online condolences may be left at the website: www.mainefuneral.com.