Obituary of Jean Kirk Stickney

Jean Kirk Stickney, 80 of Belfast, passed away on June 2, 2021, in Brewer, Maine. She was born on January 15th, 1941, in Bridgeport, CT. The daughter of Norman B. Stickney Sr. and Cecilia E. Dingman Stickney. Jean attended Roger Ludlow school in Fairfield, CT, and graduated the class of 1958. After graduation, Jean worked for Sikorsky Aircraft company in the darkroom, as well as at city printers in Wallingford, CT. Jean moved to Maine in the ’60s where she was employed at the Pine Point School in Camden, as well as the group home in Belfast through the ’70s. She later opened her own shop – JKS Copy Printers in Belfast, which she ran for many years. Jean printed a State-wide newsletter for lesbians and was an activist for women’s and gay rights for her entire life. In her spare time, she enjoyed kayaking and fishing. Her favorite sport was women’s basketball, which she enjoyed as a season ticket holder for the University of Maine Women’s Basketball team. Jean also played softball in Belfast as a pitcher and team manager for many years as well as sponsoring the team. Jean was also a friend of the Belfast Fiddlers and was honorary chairman for the Belfast pride parade 2 years ago. Jean loved to travel and in recent years took trips with the YMCA. She is survived by her two brothers: Norman Jr. and wife Christl of South Carolina, and Russell and wife Kassandra of Belfast; her nieces and nephews, Diane and husband Tony, Sandra and husband Shawn, Heidi and husband Darren, and Justin Stickney; great-nieces and nephews, Kristen and Ashley, Max, Devon, Carly, Tyler, and Joseph; many close friends too numerous to name as well as her many LGBTQ+ community friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Belfast City Boat House, on Saturday, June 19 at 1 pm. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.