Remembrance Page

A page dedicated to honoring MDC members who have passed, as well as their beloved horses.

MDC Newsletter 2007 Calendar of Events

$C:\Users\Bruce\Desktop\Sue E. Inch.jpg$ Sue E. (Maynard) Inch

1950-2007

Sue Inch of Mount Vernon died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, with the comforting presence of her family.

She was born on Nov. 8, 1950, in Greenfield, Mass., the daughter of Emerson A. and Thelma (Overing) Maynard.

Sue was a graduate of Pioneer Valley Regional High School in Northfield, Mass., and attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. She later completed her education and received a degree from the University of Maine at Farmington after her children were grown.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce Inch, of Mount Vernon; and sons Ian Inch of Oakland, and Matthew Inch and his girlfriend, Rose Martin, of Bangor.

She was predeceased by her father, Emerson A. Maynard, in 1993.

In addition, she leaves behind her mother, Thelma Maynard of Warwick, Mass.; sister Rae Stone and her husband, Blair, of Waitara, Australia; brother Mark Maynard and his wife, Regina Curtis-Maynard, of Warwick, Mass.; sister Ann Willhite and her husband, Valmore, of Royalston, Mass.; brother Alan Maynard of Greenfield, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.

Sue was employed by the State of Maine Department of Human Services for 32 years as a social worker, and retired from state service in 2005.

Sue had a strong commitment to her community, and served two terms on the Mount Vernon School Board. In addition, she was a long time member of the boards of trustees for the Dr. Shaw Memorial Library and the Mount Vernon Community Center. She also studied for and received her emergency medical technician certification and was a member of Mount Vernon Rescue.

As a lifelong lover of horses, she pursued a number of equestrian activities. She was a former member of the United States Trotting Association and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, and was the owner of numerous harness race horses over many years. She was proudest of the accomplishments of her great, now 30-year-old “stretch running” pacer Flying Francis, former world record holder at Bangor Raceway. Currently, he is retired at Bruce and Sue’s farm in Mount Vernon.

Sue was also a lover of pleasure driving horses and served two years as the president of the Maine Driving Club. A highlight of each summer for many years were the annual trips to the Acadia National Park Carriage Roads with “Francis” and Sue’s friends, Wanda Morse, Amanda Smith, Annette Parlin, and their horses.

Sue was a perfect friend, and was especially close to her longtime dear friend, Daphne Sanders of Mount Vernon. She was a loving and devoted mother; a respected member of her community; and an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

A private remembrance for family and special friends will be held at a time to be scheduled.

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A tribute to Cameo Katie

By her owner Ansley Newton

It was a beautiful day, the light coming thru the trees gave an especially elegant glow surrounded by the orange, reds, yellows, brown and green of a New England Fall. As the wind gently blew thru the trees, it was almost like they were giving one final salute to a remarkable horse. Katie (17 year old Standardbred) walked quietly into the field one last time. Behind her for support were her best friend Flame and her sister Foxy. Friends gathered both in person and in spirit to say good-bye.

As I held Katie one last time, she nuzzled me gently and nickered softly in my arms to comfort me. I gently stroked her face and looked into her eyes, wondering just what I could say to her. I struggled for words to tell her just how much I loved her and how she had changed my life forever. Her willingness to give 150% in everything she did. Our many trips down the roads and trails for miles, with adventures that still make me laugh. Her bold independent spirit and the shaking of her head back and forth when she didn't agree. I realized as our eyes met one last time that she knew that everything that could be said to her at that moment had been said over our 15 years together. So I kissed her beautiful face one last time and let her go.

Flame the herd leader approached Katie as she lay on the ground with a quiet reserve. She bowed in deference several times and then quietly stepped back. Foxy, her sister and Tandem Wheeler, was confused and approached her sister several times. As we led them quietly back to the barn, Foxy stood in her stall and cried out for her sister. They were heart-wrenching cries of grief and loss. We put the horses into their pasture and Foxy stood staring toward the direction she had last seen her sister. She stood rigid for about 5-10 minutes and then an amazing thing happened. She perked her ears, nodded her head, and shook it back and forth just like Katie used to do. She breathed a deep breath, relaxed and went over to eat her hay. It was if Katie had told her she was okay and Foxy could continue on with life.

Katie defied the stereotype of a Standardbred. Her accomplishments ranged from year end high point ridden Dressage, National High Point Standardbred horse and overall show champion of both pleasure and HDT's across New England. However, what I will always treasure most about Katie is her helping me to make a dream come true. She was my Tandem leader and I can never thank her enough for giving me that experience.

I know many of you got to know Katie in person both competitively and recreationally. Her pasture accident that severely damaged her hip joint cut short her life, but not the memories. She was truly a once in a lifetime horse.

You've earned your wings sweet Katie, now fly free

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