Marie (Molly) Shore McKellar died unexpectedly of natural causes at her home in Lincolnville on December 30 2021. She was 66.  

Molly will be best remembered for her deep love of animals and boundless energy for caring and advocating for them. She spent a lifetime learning about animals of all kinds and applying this knowledge to improve their quality of life. Molly led her family in rescuing countless horses, dogs, cats, birds, and wildlife of all kinds. She also cared deeply for people and volunteered many hours helping kids and teenagers who needed a mentor or a place to stay.

Molly was always busy with personal and professional projects. She loved learning new things and sharing her knowledge with others. Most recently, she worked as a real estate agent and especially enjoyed helping first time home buyers with modest budgets to navigate a very difficult market. She always went above and beyond to make sure her clients knew exactly what they were getting into and didn’t hesitate to climb through windows or crawl under foundations to be sure.  

Molly was born October 22, 1955 to Flora Day Dickson and Howard Everrett Shore III in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

From a very young age, Molly was drawn to all animals, especially horses, and became an accomplished equestrian. Molly attended the Shipley School from 1962-1974 and maintained lifelong friendships with several of her classmates. After graduation she attended Tacoma and Bellevue Community Colleges where she studied chemistry and accounting. 

Molly married Hugh McKellar in 1980 and they moved to Maine, eventually settling in Union where Molly established a successful boarding and training facility for horses and equestrian enthusiasts of all ages.

Molly had significantly more energy than most people and she made many improvements to the property over the years, including stone patios and perennial gardens that she built and tended to herself.

Molly was also an accomplished artist and dabbled in many disciplines throughout her life. In addition to the horse training business she also maintained a full pottery studio in the basement where she made custom pottery to compliment the dried flower arrangements that she made to order.

She also collected and sold flat rocks for stone walls, had a small store selling vitamins for horses, worked as as a professional bookkeeper, and supported her children in numerous endeavors. 

When her daughters chose to attend college in Florida, Molly eventually sold her farm in Union and moved to DeLeon Springs, Florida, with her horses where she built a home and stable on land close to her long time dressage coaches, Michael and Sharon Poulin. She made many lasting friendships there.

With the birth of her first grandchild, Molly returned to live in Maine and built an apartment above a horse barn on Martin Corner Road in Lincolnville. She loved Lincolnville and became close with several neighbors, especially Margaret and Sharon. 

She is survived by her daughter, Alison McKellar, and partner Vincent Jones, of Camden; grandchildren Colton and Mason; sister Elizabeth Welch, and brother Sandy Shore. Molly was predeceased by her beloved daughter Kristen McKellar, her brother William (Billy) Dickson Shore, and her parents Flora Day and Howard Everett Shore III. 

A celebration of life will be held outside at Molly’s Farm in Lincolnville on her birthday, Saturday October 22, from 2-3:30 p.m.

The event will be followed by a bonfire and hike up the hill behind her farm for those who would like to stay. The address is 171 Martin Corner Rd in Lincolnville and all are welcome.  If you have questions, please reach out to family friend, Jenna Lookner at Jenna.lookner@gmail.com 

Share a memory of Molly and get updates on the celebration of life here: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/MollyMckellar/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maine Coast Animal Rescue or by supporting one of the causes important to Molly. 

As a result of the death of her daughter, Kristen, who was hit by a motor boat while swimming on Damariscotta Lake, Molly became passionate about improving the safety on Maine lakes for swimmers and paddlers. Prior to her death, she had hoped to work on a campaign to promote education and rules about maintaining headway speed only within 200 feet of shore. She had begun working to create maps delineating the water safety zone on Maine lakes and ponds.

Please consider posting educational signage at your local boat launch and supporting other efforts to make our public water bodies safe for swimmers and paddlers.