YARMOUTH — Rosemary Sclater Kimball, 91, died peacefully April 24, surrounded by her “care bears” at Bay Square Senior Living Community, in Yarmouth.

She was born Feb. 13, 1922, to Ida Hannaford Sclater and Ivanhoe Sclater in Pittsfield, Mass. She attended local schools until transferring to St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Va., where her Aunt Caroline taught Latin. She graduated from Bradford Junior College, where she studied English with a concentration on Shakespeare.

She married Paul J. Kimball in Newfields, N.H., in 1943. They raised their three children in many different homes in the northeast including Essex, Conn., Skaneateles, N.Y., and Camden, before settling in Portland.

Kimball embraced life and remained a kid at heart until the very moment of her death. Her passion for people and her friendships were vital to her happiness. unconditionally loved all those she knew.

She started the Elf Club when she was in her 80s, and those interested could gain membership by agreeing to the tenets created by Kimball, the head elf. Elves have but one common denominator: being enthusiastic about all the little things that bring joy. To be a member of the Elf Club, one needs to do a good deed each day. Kindness is paramount, but having fun and finding humor in unexpected places is also important.

Kimball will be remembered for her zest for life and wondrous spirit. She encouraged everyone to get into a little mischief to keep life interesting.

She was one of the founders of the Children’s Theater in Camden, past president of the Bradford Club and a volunteer at Maine Medical Center and the Portland Public Library.

She loved to play bridge and even at 91 she played Scrabble online almost every day — including the day she died.

She is survived by her daughter, Courtney Kimball; her son, P. Jefferson Kimball and his wife, Jennifer, of Freeport; her granddaughter, Sarah Kimball Sullivan and husband, Jim Sullivan; her great-grandchildren, Molly and Paul, of Raleigh, N.C.; and her grandson, Paul J. “Tripp” Kimball of Miami, Fla. She was predeceased by her husband Paul, in 1993 and her son Thomas, in 2009.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Bay Square, 27 Forest Falls Drive, in Yarmouth. In July or August, when all family members are together in Maine, there will be a celebration of Kimball’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember to surprise someone with an act of kindness and find a little fun mischief for yourself.

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