Kay Rhenstrom Meyer, obituary

Tue, 01/23/2018 - 12:15pm

BRISTOL - Kay Rhenstrom Meyer, 82, passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, Thursday, January 18, 2018, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after a brief illness.

Born in Pomona, California, May 17, 1935, she was the daughter of Eric and Florence Hawthorne Rhenstrom. She grew up in a loving home, not only with her parents, but also for many years her grandfather Gustaf, who had immigrated from Sweden.

Kay earned her teaching degree from Long Beach State. Kay married Kenneth E. Lewis and had a beautiful son, Eric V. Lewis, in 1959. Following Ken's death, she and Eric returned to San Clemente to be near her mother.

Sometime later mutual friends introduced Kay to Chuck Meyer, and 3 1/2 months later they were married on May 19, 1962. Following nine months at Lemoore Naval Air Station, the family of three (soon to be four) moved to Herndon, Virginia, where Chuck practiced optometry for 27 years. In 1963 Kay gave birth to their lovely daughter, Kristin. In 1965, Kay, Chuck, Eric and Kristin moved to Reston, Virginia. Kay taught first grade for several years.

Kay, Chuck and their young family were very active members of Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia. For all of their years in Virginia, she made a wonderfully loving home for her family. In 1989, Kay and Chuck realized that their children and grandchildren had made Maine their permanent home and decided to move to Bristol, Maine.

For the last 27 years, Kay enjoyed all of the many opportunities that spending time with her children and grandchildren provided. Times at camp, theatre events, athletic events (especially ice hockey), gingerbread house construction and holidays along with the day to day joys were cherished. Kay's deep faith and commitment to Christ were central to her life. She loved her extended church family both in Virginia and at Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Rockport.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Chuck Meyer of Bristol; her daughter Kristin Cameron, grandsons Jonah and Calvin Cameron all of Nobleboro, Maine; her son Eric Meyer, his wife Pat McKenzie, granddaughter Dayze Gaulin all of Whitefield, Maine and granddaughters Rita Brandt-Meyer, Megan Brandt-Meyer and Megan's husband Matthew Moretz of Manhattan, New York.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 27, at Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 188 Rockland Street, (Rt. 17), Rockport. The Reverend Stephen Tracey will officiate. A graveside committal service will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, January 31st, at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Road, Herndon, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to the Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Deacon's Fund, 188 Rockland Street, Rockport, ME 04856. To share a memory or story with Kay's family, please visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.