It is with deep sadness the family of Kristine Lavin Perkins announce her death on October 28th, 2022, at the age of 71. Kris was born in Boston, MA on July 5, 1951, the daughter of the late Richard B. Lavin and Natalie Downs Lavin.
Kris grew up in Dover, MA and attended local schools, graduating from Dover Sherborn Regional High in 1969. She went on to Broome Technical School of Dental Hygiene, graduating in 1971 followed by University of Bridgeport graduating in 1975. She began a career as a dental hygienist.
While at Bridgeport, Kris met her future husband, Fred Perkins of Rye, NH. They married in 1975 and lived and worked in the southern NH area until his death in 1993. While married to Fred, Kris became a pilot, flying Piper Cub airplanes out of the North Hampton NH Airfield and helping Fred with his business at Seacoast Pools.
After her husband’s death, Kris moved to mid coast Maine where she worked as a dental hygienist and began to teach dental hygiene courses at the University of Maine - University College of Bangor Dental Health Programs. In 2005 she received her Master of Public Health from AT Still University. She left daily practice of dental hygiene to work for the State of Maine in the Oral Health Program. Post 2019 Kris took on a new position as Director of Public Health for the State of Maine and served in that role until her retirement in 2014.
In 1993, Kris met Cathy Bunton and they began a 29-year relationship and were finally able to legally marry in August of 2015 on Peaks Island. Kris enjoyed collecting antiques, visiting any new baby animal at the local farm, summering on Peaks Island with her Bunton family, wintering on Vieques Island, and enjoying a “Dewars and soda in a tall glass with a wedge of lemon.”
Kris was a volunteer at Victoria Mansion as a docent for several years, served on the State of Maine forensic team, and was always willing to help at her church, the North Yarmouth Congregational Church, a place she loved.
Kris is survived by her wife Cathy, her dog Nick, her cat Carl of North Yarmouth. Also survived by brothers-in-law Robert C. Bunton and partner Mary Labbe, John S. Bunton and wife Bonnie, William E. Bunton and wife Melissa, John Pantazi, longtime friend Jeanne Chadbourne, as well as several nieces and nephews. Kris was predeceased by her sister Beth Pantazi.
Calling hours are Wednesday, November 2, 2022, from 4-7PM at the Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane Yarmouth, ME. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 11AM at the North Yarmouth Congregational Church 3 Gray Road, North Yarmouth, ME.
Flowers are beautiful and welcomed but a donation to the Alzheimer's Association will help others like Kris who are battling this terrible disease.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindquist Funeral Home in Yarmouth, ME.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LindquistFuneralHome.com for the Perkins family.
