WATERVILLE – Jean (Maker) Ackley passed away on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, following a stroke. Born Oct. 4, 1935, in Lubec, Jean was the daughter of Marjorie Foley Maker and Newell Maker. Jean grew up in West Lubec and graduated Valedictorian from Lubec High School in 1954. Following graduation, she worked at the Lubec Water District in billing and bookkeeping, various local Sardine packing plants, and the Cutler Naval Base as secretary for the resident officer in charge.It was while working at the Cutler Naval Base that she met Les Ackley at a July 3rd Wesley dance that continued onto the Spruces’ dance that night. She often said they danced that night until the “dances ran out of music and they ran out of steam.” Jean and Les married in 1959, and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. After three years in Massachusetts, Jean and Leslie resided in Fairfield and Waterville for their entire marriage.While in Fairfield, Jean was a school traffic guard, and often joked that she was traffic-control trained by Chief Gould and “Sargent” Judy Poulliot.Jean enjoyed playing on the Women’s Softball League in Fairfield for the short time it lasted. Her deer hunting adventures with Les and her brother, Ken, were inevitably followed by the tall tales that came post -November. Many a story were about Daniel, Rebecca and Israel – code names for those who stayed any number of nights at the “Skunk’s Den.” Memories of Jean include her love of crows, adopting all stray cats that came her way, donations of her many calendars and stickers to the Mitchell School Kindergarten team, teaching her daughters to do “donuts” in snowy parking lots so they would know how to handle their cars in snow, naming her roses and flowering bushes after family members, and, of course, the terribly off-key but beautiful happy birthday songs sung by her and Les for those they loved. Jean is survived by her husband, Les; and her children Kelli DuBose and husband Mike of Falmouth, and Marjie McKenzie of Waterville; her grandchildren Trevor Perry of Waterville and Naples, Fla., Lesli DuBose of Salem, Mass., Nicholas DuBose and wife Julia of Arlington, Va., Corey McKenzie and wife Allison of Fairfield. She dearly loved her great-grandson, Blake McKenzie. Jean is also survived by her brothers Jay and Marvin Maker; and her many beloved nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.In lieu of flowers,Jean asked that donations be made to:The Ark Shelter,60 Barber Lane,Cherryfield, ME 04622, orCutler UnitedMethodist Church2718 Cutler Rd.Cutler, ME 04626

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