Kelly Maureen (Poindexter) Hewins 

Born October 29, 1970 Mission Hills California 

Died March 25, 2026 at home in Searsport, Maine

Kelly lived her life on her own terms—loud laughs, big hugs, and a flare for silliness. She had a knack for turning everyday moments into adventures, a gift for making friends wherever she went, and a talent for finding the silver lining (or at least a funny story) in every situation; even during a difficult, five year battle with stage 4 breast cancer.

She was the loving wife of 33 years to Daniel Hewins, who will attest that Kelly’s sense of humor and persistence kept him both entertained and slightly terrified for more than three decades. He was always her biggest supporter and the best caregiver she ever could have wished for during extremely long and difficult cancer treatment and end of life care. He is simply the best man ever.

Kelly was the proud mother of three awesome kids and who are thankfully a lot smarter than she: Zachary Hewins (and his wife Julia and their infant daughter, Phoebe), Adam LaFreniere (and his spouse, Steph, and their son Gabriel), and Rebecca DiCintio (and her fiancé Samuel Upton). She delighted in her role as grandmother, never missing a chance to spoil Gabriel with just the right mix of using way too much icing when decorating Christmas sugar cookies, stuffing his bookshelves with too many books, and giving strange gadgets as Christmas gifts (who knew that he'd need a license for that drone???). She also may have sworn in front of him a little, because she had a pretty big potty mouth. Also in front of her own kids. (Oops!) Phoebe, her Christmas granddaughter, your Grandma knows you will do amazing things! She is also excited that you inherited her nose. (At least she is pretty sure you did.)

She was the beloved daughter of Nancy Jean (Facer) Poindexter (predeceased) and her spouse Elizabeth Kirk, who can confirm that Kelly’s wit and charm were evident even in childhood negotiations over the benefits of sugared cereal on her homework habits and the awesomeness that was Happy Days before the shark jump.

Kelly is survived by her brothers Jim Poindexter and his partner Eleda Wacker, Rob Poindexter and his daughter Addison Poindexter.

  You can do it 

  You can do it 

  You can help your sister Kelly 

  You can make her dress so pretty 

  There's nothing to it really 

She is also survived by more aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family than she can count. She was predeceased by her cherished grandparents, several precious uncles, aunts, cousins, and some truly amazing friends. 

Don't forget to tell your peeps that you love them. Because life is short.

She is also survived by her beloved cats, Dixie Belle and Opal, and several grandkitties. They will not complain if you gift them some catnip toys to help them cope with their terrible loss.

Kelly had a remarkable work ethic and a surprising love for retail, spending 28 years in various retail roles, where she genuinely enjoyed connecting with people—even if they didn’t always know what they wanted. (There are a lot of fudge flavors to choose from).

Later, she spent 10 years at athenahealth in Belfast Maine, training colleagues with a flair for creativity, often using her video-making skills in the style of Schoolhouse Rock, because why just explain something when you can make it dance and sing?

In addition to her professional endeavors, Kelly was an author under the pen name RJ Keller, further exposing her family to disrepute—because subtlety was never her style. In this capacity she participated in several online writing video groups, including Inside the Writers' Studio with author Kristen Tsetsi and Between Two Couch Cushions with author Danielle Bannister. She also enjoyed creating book trailers for both herself and for her author friends.

Kelly also treasured her friendships, particularly with Dawn-Marie Allen, a friend for more than forty years, as well as friends Danielle Bannister and Angela Dominichelli, and her special Aunt Ellen Masse, who were lucky enough to experience her sometimes bawdy humor, loyalty, and occasional silly mischief firsthand. And although it's kind of the thing these days to say that a coworker isn't the same thing as a friend, Kelly could not have disagreed more strongly, making years long work friends. You know who you are. She also had a big crowd of online friends, too numerous to name, and special in-laws who brought joy, memes, music, art, literature, and love to her life. She tried her best to do the same for them, too.

Because life is short. Shorter than you think.

Kelly loved music, especially hits from the 1960s through the 1990s, and had a special place in her heart for The Beatles, whose songs she would sing, hum, or play loudly in true Kelly style. Her favorite Beatle was George Harrison, and she maintained that his solo album All Things Must Pass is one (or three, since it's a triple album) of the best records ever made. She was also a big fan of Weird Al Yankovich, with her favorite song being White and Nerdy, and enjoyed writing parody songs of her own, including a Careless Whisper parody about the ravages of constipation on breast cancer patients. 

  Careless Bowels 

  I'm never gonna poop again 

  Bloated feeling, got no movement 

  Though I'm trying really hard 

  I can't produce a stool

She loved her time working with theatre groups in Belfast, Maine both onstage and behind the scenes. She especially enjoyed working as an assistant stage manager on William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, set in 1960s hippie America, complete with Rosalind hiding her pot box under her pillow and the Duke of Senor getting high in a VW van. Please support your local theaters! She also loved watching musicals both in person, with Evita, Into The Woods, and Hamilton her favorites, or on video. Or streaming, because this ain't the eighties anymore.

She also loved Christmas—baking way too many Christmas cookies, singing Wonderful Christmastime loudly for everyone to hear, whether they wanted to or not. A theater director once suggested she “feel free to lip sync,” even though she had been singing in a large chorus—a moment that only made her laugh harder.

Kelly lived life loud, loved fiercely, laughed often, and left the world a little brighter—and a lot louder—just by being herself.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or you can honor Kelly by doing something fun…because life is short, and she would want you to laugh, celebrate, and maybe sing a little too loudly while doing it. She and her family could not be more appreciative of the help given by friends, including help with meals, cleaning, company, and so much more. They are also so grateful to MaineHealth Oncology and Infusion Center Team, her hospice care team, and MaineHealth Palliative Care. Doctors, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, RNs, CNAs, etc are magical humans who should be worshiped and paid so much more than they are. Period.

She encouraged the use of Oxford commas, and hopes you will continue to do the same.