Obituary of Melissa Diane Yandell

Melissa “Missy” Diane Yandell

September 15, 1954 – August 10, 2026

Melissa “Missy” Diane Yandell, 71, passed away following a brief battle with cancer on August 10, 2026, surrounded by her family. In her final days, her hand was never left unheld, and she left this world knowing just how deeply she was loved.

Missy was born on September 15, 1954, in Bronxville, New York, to James Gilbert and Gwendolyn (King) Gilbert. She spent her early childhood in New York and her teenage years in Massachusetts, where she met John Yandell, the man who would become her husband and the love of her life. They married in February 1973.

Some of Missy's fondest childhood memories came from time spent on her uncle's farm in New York, where she helped with chores and watched calves being born—a story she continued telling throughout her life. Her love of animals never left her. As a young woman, she was an avid equestrian with a particular love for horses, and later in life, her dogs became her world.

In the winter of 1977, Missy and John moved their young family to Maine, where she helped her father, James, run the Camden Harbor Inn, working as both a cook and bookkeeper. The Inn—and particularly the Thirsty Whale Tavern—brought together singer-songwriters, regulars, friends, and characters who held a special place in her heart. Hospitality remained a big part of Missy's working life, though along the way she also worked at Robbins Lumber and as a chiropractic assistant to Cindy Denchak at Belfast Chiropractic, a job and friendship that meant a great deal to her. In later years, she found another extended family among her coworkers at McLaughlin's in Lincolnville.

Cooking was never simply Missy's work; it was part of who she was and became woven into many of her family's favorite memories. She learned to cook the game John brought home and got up early to make breakfast for the boys before they headed out hunting—and her biscuits and gravy became a favorite memory. To her thirteen grandchildren she was Grammy, and some of their best memories were the simplest ones: overnight visits, late-night French fries, garden vegetables, special toys and movies that only Grammy had, dirty hands, good food, and plenty of laughter.

And then there were Grammy's recipes, including the day one of her grandchildren discovered one for squirrel stew—with the helpful substitution of “one rabbit.” It became an instant family joke that will undoubtedly be laughed about for years to come.

Anyone who knew Missy knew she had a personality all her own. She was funny, stubborn, opinionated, feisty, quick to laugh, and never particularly shy about letting you know what she thought. Missy was unapologetically herself, and those who loved her knew exactly what they were getting.

Missy loved a good treasure-hunting adventure and could happily spend a day antiquing, wandering through flea markets, browsing Goodwill, or stopping at yard sales because you never knew what you might find. She was an avid reader and a devoted Hallmark watcher—predictable endings and all. She loved her houseplants and flower beds, and gardening was something she and John happily shared for many years.

She was also a fiercely loyal New York Yankees fan in a family full of Red Sox supporters, providing years of good-natured rivalry and plenty of opportunities for everyone to rub in a win.

At the center of Missy's life were the people she loved. She was wife to the love of her life, Mom to two daughters and a son, Grammy to thirteen grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, a sister, a best friend, and a friend to many.

Missy is survived by her children, Stacey (Yandell) Kimble-Lytton, Rachael (Yandell) Hendrick, and John P. Yandell; her grandchildren, Zachery Kimble, Samuel Kimble, Evan Yandell, Sydney Lytton, Caleb Hendrick, Madeline Yandell, Gavin Hendrick, Mason Hendrick, John “Little John” Yandell, Harper Hendrick, Hazel Yandell, Ella Yandell, and Henry Yandell; and her great-granddaughter, Kaliopy Kimble.

She is also survived by her siblings William Gilbert, Craig Gilbert, and Kimberly (Gilbert) Kasper; her best friend of more than 30 years, Sheri Miner, who held a very special place in Missy's life; as well as a large extended family and many friends gathered throughout her lifetime.

Missy was predeceased by her husband, John H. Yandell, the love of her life; her parents, James Gilbert and Gwendolyn (King) Gilbert; and her brothers, Jeffery Gilbert and Mark Gilbert.

In keeping with Missy's wishes, there will be no traditional funeral service. Instead, family and close friends will gather for a cookout and flower bed planting at her daughter's home in Lincolnville—a celebration far more fitting for Missy than anything formal ever could.

Missy and John will be together again in a way they chose long ago. Their ashes will be combined and laid to rest beneath a bed of daisies—their wedding flowers from more than five decades ago.

Missy is best remembered simply as she lived: surrounded by the people she loved, with dogs nearby, flowers growing, a book within reach, something cooking in the kitchen, an opinion ready to be shared, a loud laugh never far behind—and, much to Stacey's dismay, the damn Yankees forever having one very loyal fan.