Lorna C. Antkowiak (Vadeboncoeur) of Kittery, Maine died Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at York Hospital in York, Maine with her loving son and caregiver, Ted, by her side.

Mrs. Antkowiak was born July 23, 1925 in Haverhill, Mass., the eldest child of Lucien L. and H. Marion (Dacey) Vadeboncoeur. She graduated Haverhill High School in 1941 at the age of 16. Shortly after graduation, she became the youngest staff member at the Haverhill Public Library, where she worked for the next seven years until her marriage to Edward T. Antkowiak on August 2, 1950. An accomplished pianist, she assisted with the implementation of the library’s first record collection because of her great love and knowledge of music. In their first year of married life, Edward and Lorna owned a record store called The Melody Shop in West Newton, Mass.

Mrs. Antkowiak instilled her passion for music, literature, art, nature and learning in her four children. Mr. and Mrs. Antkowiak resided in Ipswich, Mass., for many years where she contributed to her community as a den mother, volunteer at the school library and an environmental protection organization, courier of vitally needed blood donations, and caring and compassionate neighbor.

Mrs. Antkowiak is survived by her children, Christine Marshall (John) of Boulder, Colo., Stephanie Eubanks (T. Marshall) of Clifton, Va., Edward M. Antkowiak of Kittery and Karen Metcalfe (Stephen) of Hampden, Maine; grandchildren Ryan E. Fischer, Caitlin C. Marshall, Caroline E. Marshall, and Marshall E. Eubanks; siblings, Dr. Paula M. Vadeboncoeur of Bridgewater, Mass., James L. Vadeboncoeur and wife Lois of Hampton Falls, N.H., Diane Tremblay (Paul) of Holderness, N.H., and Priscilla Swanson of Melrose, Mass.

Services will be private. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Mrs. Antkowiak’s memory to the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, 2401 Congress St, Portland, Maine 04101. For online condolences, please visit the guestbook available at www.RemickGendron.com.