St. David, ME - Marion “Penny” Albert, 82, passed away on January 4, 2024, in Rockport, ME. She was born in Boston, Mass. in 1941 to James M. And Barbara (McNulty) Coyne.

Penny was an educator through and through. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy in Portland, ME, St. Joseph’s College in Standish, ME, and she earned graduate degrees in Education from the University of Maine at Orono. She taught the whole range of grades from elementary school to high school as a public school teacher, and she had a special passion for the science of reading. She was involved in the development of the writing assessment tools utilized by the Maine Department of Education, and along with her friend, Elaine Hendrickson, she developed and ran a Young Author’s Workshop in Aroostook County. Her family remembers the hours she spent at the kitchen table hand painting and doing the calligraphy for all the name tags and signage for that event.

Later in her career, alongside her beloved husband of 55 years, Gil, she prepared scores of college students to be curious and creative educators as a professor of Education at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Her students remember how her own deep delight in education awakened them as teachers.

In her retirement, Penny enjoyed sea kayaking and exploring the Fish River Chain of Lakes by kayak, volunteering with the Penobscot Bay Stewards, honing her skills in drawing, painting, and felt work, getting together with friends in Belfast and at Long Lake, and above all, spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Gilbert Albert of St. David, her children Michael Albert of Branford, Ct., John Albert and Dr. Lynne Albert of Littleton, CO, Katherine Read and Capt. Ryan Read of Corpus Christi, TX, a special daughter-in-law Carrie Albert of Clinton. CT; and her grandchildren Matthew Albert and Christopher Albert of Clinton, CT, Ana Albert and Elise Albert of Littleton, CO and Jack Read, Nora Read, and Josephine Read of Corpus Christi, TX. She leaves behind several much-loved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews throughout the US and Quebec, Canada as well as many friends around the country; especially in northern and midcoast Maine.

A celebration of Penny’s life is planned at a later date, In her memory, read a book, teach what you love, make some art and please consider a donation to:

Sussman House

40 Anchor Dr.

Rockport, ME 04856