Maryanne Kemp, Babylon Village resident

Although Maryanne Kemp (nee Siconolfi) lived in Babylon Village for just four years, it did not take her long to fall in love with this quaint and welcoming community. She passed away September 17, 2009, after a long illness and hospitalization.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, she and her husband Nick and her mom Anne moved to Babylon to be closer to immediate family, especially her three young nephews whom she adored. Known for her cheerful demeanor and enormous kind spirit, Mrs. Kemp could never do enough for her nephews and for anyone who crossed her path, whether neighbor, friend or family member.

“She never had a bad word to say about anyone,” recalls her husband Nick. “She inspired affection and love in people.”

Mrs. Kemp worked for the New York City Officeof the British Science Journal Nature, and that is where she met Nick, a native of England. He oversaw the department in which she worked and says Maryanne was one of the first people he met when he arrived in the United States in 1996. He was struck by her good nature.

After sharing dozens of cab rides home to their separate residences in Brooklyn, Nick and Maryanne become very good friends. And much like a fairy tale, it wasn’t long after before they became romantically involved.

“Maryanne never let anyone or anything hold her back,” said Nick. “She squeezed as much into life as she possibly could.” She had a list of what she wanted to accomplish by age 40. One adventure was to take a helicopter ride; another was to visit Graceland. Nick made sure she accomplished both, surprising her with a helicopter ride for her 38th birthday and a trip to Graceland for her 39th birthday.

They married October 24, 1999 in Brooklyn and left for a honeymoon in England. There, they held a second wedding ceremony and celebration. Nursing a nasty cough, Mrs. Kemp ended up in the emergency room after the party. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and to everyone’s surprise kidney failure.

Doctors in the United States confirmed the grim news and placed Mrs. Kemp on dialysis and the kidney transplant waiting list. In 2002, her husband Nick donated one of his kidneys to his wife.

Life certainly changed for his wife after this, recalls Nick, but her optimism, vitality, positive outlook never wavered – not even during the final nine months of her life that she spent in the hospital, often in the ICU and in tremendous pain. There, true to her loving nature, she befriended all the nurses, physicians and staff. On June 18 in her hospital room, they joined Maryanne’s family in celebrating Maryanne’s 50th birthday.

One of her private duty nurses, Esrene, touchingly sang a spiritual song at Mrs. Kemp’s wake. Her soothing words reminded everyone that this angel is now home.

“Live well, love much, laugh often,” this was Maryanne’s motto said Nick. “She definitely did that during her time with us.”

She is survived by her husband Nick, her mother Anne, her brother Philip and his wife Irene, and her nephews Philip, Anthony and Nicholas, as well as cousins, aunts and other close relatives.

Mrs. Kemp reposed at Chapey Funeral Home in West Islip. Burial was in St. Charles Cemetery.