Della Thelma Jacques Kyes

1927-2014 Della T. (Jacques) Kyes, 87, of Skowhegan, Maine, and Holiday, Fla., died peacefully Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the lakeside home of her son, Jeffery Kyes, in Lincoln, following a short illness. She was born in Caribou on Jan. 26, 1927, a daughter of the late Alfred and Cecile (Oullette) Jacques. Della moved to Skowhegan in sixth grade and graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1944 at the age of 17. She then married Ernest G. Kyes Feb. 23, 1946. Together they owned and operated Kyes Motel starting in 1955 with a few cottages and building it to the motel it is today. They enjoyed making it a family business currently being managed by her son, Dana. Mrs. Kyes was predeceased by her husband, Ernest G. Kyes; three sisters, Natalie Daniels, Jacqueline Anzelc and Ethel Taylor; and a brother, Leon Jacques. She is survived by five children: Gayton Kyes and his wife, Sheri, of Jensen Beach, Fla., Dennis Kyes, of Skowhegan, Diana Andrews and her husband, David, of Port Charlotte, Fla., Dana Kyes and his wife, Patricia, of Skowhegan, and Jeffery Kyes and his wife, Michele, of Lincoln; a brother, the Rev. Alfred Jacques, of Skowhegan; a brother-in-law, Richard Anzelc, of Raymond; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. As family matriarch her photography and journals document a wonderful life including family and friends. She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed: bridge, oil painting, skiing, dancing, golfing, bowling, sewing, reading, family reunions and class reunions. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, May 30, at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, Water Street, Skowhegan, with interment at Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow at the parish hall - See more at: http://obituaries.onlinesentinel.com/obituaries/mainetoday-morningsentinel/obituary.aspx?n=della-t-kyes-jacques&pid=171050762&fhid=11523#sthash.CpJqWbsJ.dpuf

Arrangements under the direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, Skowhegan, ME.