LITCHFIELD - Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend Terry Yale, 70, of Litchfield and Portland passed away in her sleep at Mercy Hospital in Portland in the early hours of Wednesday, Oct. 10, following a brief illness.

Terry was born in Leominster, Mass on July 19, 1948, the eldest daughter of Gilson Cole McKenney and Natalie Yale McKenney. She grew up on a hilltop farm in Ashburnham, Mass., surrounded by rolling fields, forests, animals, siblings, cousins and friends. In 1966, she graduated from Oakmont High School, where she played field hockey and was a majorette in the marching band. Terry studied at Michigan Technological University and Fitchburg State College.

In 1971, she married David Ardy Kamila and settled in Westminster, Mass. After having their oldest daughter, Avery Yale Kamila, they moved to Clearwater, Fla. A couple years later she and her young family headed north again, this time moving to Richmond, Maine, where her father had recently purchased a dairy farm. She and David soon found a lakeside property in nearby Litchfield, which they purchased and converted to an organic farm and homestead called Sunshine Farm. Her youngest daughter, Kay-Lee Yale Kamila, arrived five years later.

Once their daughters were grown, Terry and David purchased a home in Portland. She spent many happy times there with friends and family during the winter, while continuing to enjoy Sunshine Farm in the summer.

A dedicated homemaker, Terry pursued many other interests, such as organizing a chapter of the National Organization for Women in Clearwater, Fla.; raising chickens and goats; owning and running the Sunshine Farm day camp; volunteering in the Litchfield schools; campaigning to shut down the Maine Yankee nuclear power plant; volunteering in the Maine Attorney General's consumer protection office; owning a bookstore in Gardiner; managing the gift shop at the Maine State Museum in Augusta; managing her rental properties; and advocating for Portland's new organic ordinance.

Terry loved spending time in her gardens and was a strong proponent of organic methods. She was passionate about the natural world and loved to share her interest in and knowledge of herbs, mushrooms, rocks and minerals with others. An avid rock hound, Terry made many trips to the old mines of Oxford County with her husband and friends.

Terry was a lifelong collector and her favorite collections included stamps honoring women, semi-precious stones and postcards. She loved to read novels, recite poetry, sing, dance, play music and enjoy art. Terry was a dedicated feminist who sought to honor Mother Earth through her actions.

One of her greatest joys in the last five and a half years of her life was spending time every week with her only grandchild, Alden Axel McLellan Hill.

She was predeceased by her mother, father and brother, Gilson McKenney, II. She is survived by her husband; daughters; grandson; son-in-law Adam C.N. Hill; sisters Wendy Harrington of Hallowell, Lee McKenney of Cottonwood, Ariz., and Barbara McKenney of Richmond; in-laws Lloyd and Joyce Hannula of Westminster, Mass., Tom Kamila and Diana Kamila of Ashburnham, Mass., Ronald and Linda Gallant of Fitchburg, Mass., Peter and Julie Gagnon of Westminster, Mass., and Donald and Karen Colageo of Pembroke, N.H.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

A celebration of her life will be held Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond. A reception will follow.