Kathryn H. Bagwell Obituary (1921 - 2019)

Topsham, ME – Kathryn "Kay” Hunsberger Bagwell, 98, died peacefully on November 23, 2019. She was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1921, the daughter of J. Newton Hunsberger Jr. and Florence Tinkler Hunsberger. She was a 1939 Graduate of Abington High School, receiving the American Legion Award, and Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1943 with a BS degree in teaching. Kay was an avid tennis player. When she was 18 years old, she was in the finals of the Eastern US Tennis Tournament, Ocean City, New Jersey. In 1944 she married Ensign Charles E. Bagwell, USN. During the World War II years, she worked at the Navy Canteen and taught public school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She lived in ten other states with her husband before they came to Maine in 1971. She was a home economics teacher, Welcome Wagon Hostess, and a real estate broker for over 36 years in the Midcoast area; but her first priorities were her husband, daughter, and son. In 1984, Kay became the first person, in Maine, to receive the Centurion award by selling over 5 million dollars of real estate. She was a member of the Androscoggin Board of Realtors and a Charter Member of the Merrymeeting Board of Realtors. She was also a member of the Brunswick Business and Professional Women’s Club, a member of Altruso International since 1985, and held several offices in the Businesswomen’s Organization. She was a hospital volunteer, visiting patients for over 30 years, an active member in the First Parish Congregational Church, especially the choir, and a former member of the Navy League. Her most exciting achievements were becoming a duplicate bridge "Life Master” and a "Bronze Life Master”. She also represented the State of Maine in the Senior Olympics Tennis games in Orlando, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; San Antonio, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Stoebe and her son, Dr. Charles Bruce Bagwell and his wife, Dr. Sandra Bagwell of Topsham, Maine and five grandchildren: Kagin DiBella, Blaine Anderson, Charlie Stoebe, Jennifer Bagwell, Tory Bagwell Chase and 6 great grandchildren. A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to First Parish Church 9 Cleaveland St., Brunswick, ME 04011 or to Midcoast Humane 190 Pleasant St., Brunswick, ME 04011. Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home 12 Federal St., Brunswick where memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com