Evelyn Amelia Hartung Keene, 107, died in Brunswick on April 11, 2015.

She was born in Boothbay Harbor on Aug. 3, 1907, the daughter of Clifton Ernest Hartung and Ina Emma Greenleaf Hartung of Boothbay Harbor. She had an older brother Harold who died when he was 12 years old.

She attended schools in Boothbay Harbor and graduated from high school in 1925. In 1928 she graduated with honors from Sargent College in Boston with a teacher’s degree in physical education and later she earned a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Maine.

She taught physical education in the Gardiner, Maine school system and coached her Gardiner girls basketball team to the Maine State Championship in 1930. She taught physical education in Camden before returning home where she taught in Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Center, East Boothbay and Southport from 1941 to 1972, except for a three-year period during World War II when she served for the duration at the Bath Iron Works, first in the welding and then in the personnel department where she received several awards for meritorious service.

Many local residents remember her teaching them the Mexican Hat Dance, The May Pole, and so on. She retired from teaching in June 1972.

Evelyn married Murray Calhoun Keene in 1931 and they had two sons, Kerry, who died young, and Wayne. Evelyn and Murray were divorced in 1939.

She was instrumental in establishing the public kindergarten that opened in Boothbay Harbor in 1942. Evelyn greatly enjoyed spending time at Knickerbocker Pond and at Ocean Point, where she owned cottages overlooking the pond and ocean. She took pleasure in owning and caring for several pet cats. Evelyn also enjoyed driving red sports cars: a Porsche 1.8 liter and a Pontiac Fiero.

As the oldest resident of the region she held the Boston Post Cane for several years. Evelyn descended from many of the founding families of early New England and the Boothbay region, including Hartung, Greenleaf, Stuart, Pinkham, Barter, Coffin, Torrence, Hoxie, Gifford and Brewster. Evelyn was a direct descendant of Elder William Brewster of the Mayflower. She was also a direct descendant of several Revolutionary War soldiers including Enoch Greenleaf, and Civil War soldier Thomas Stuart.

Evelyn lived in her own home with assistance, taking care of herself and her cat, until she reached her 106th birthday, which she celebrated with family on her porch overlooking
Atlantic Avenue. She then moved to Horizons Living and Rehab Center in Brunswick. She went on to live until age 107. When asked the secret to her good health at such an advanced age, she replied, "Good genes."

In her final years, Evelyn continued to enjoy simple pleasures including watching birds at the feeder, eating favorite foods such as raspberries and ice cream, making new friends at
Horizons of other residents and staff, and cherishing her family, always greeting her visitors with a cheerful smile and a hug.

She is survived by a son, Wayne Hartung Keene, and a daughter-in-law, Suzanne Amanda Lewis Keene of East Boothbay; two granddaughters Sonya Ellen Keene of Acton, Massachusetts, and Nancy Elizabeth Keene Donahue of Natick, Massachusetts; and five great-grandchildren; Maria Moy of Silver Spring Maryland, Paul Moy of Boston University, Julia Moy of University of Virginia, Kyle Donahue of Cornell University, and Lauren Donahue of William and Mary.

At Evelyn’s request, a graveside service will be held for the family at Ocean View Cemetery in Boothbay.