Mary E. Stewart, 85, formerly Mary E. Erickson, born as Mary Ellen Norwood, of Warren and Wildwood, Fla., passed away on March 20 at the Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Fla., due to injuries received from a car accident where she was a passenger. She was born on June 30, 1929 in Warren, the third daughter of Avis and LeRoy Norwood. Her daughter, Karen Salenius, was at her bedside when she passed away.
Mary attended Warren schools and graduated as valedictorian of the Warren High School class of 1946. She attended the University of Maine at Orono and Fisher Business College in Boston, Mass. after graduating. Mary continued her love of learning and received her degree of Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Maine in the eighties.
In the fall of 1948, Mary married Carl B. Erickson. They moved to Breezy Acres Farm on Clary Hill in Warren and raised four children, Karen, Mark, Carl, Jr. (Rick), and Dean. Mary was an active partner in Carl’s many businesses. She kept the books and helped manage several businesses, including Maine Coast Egg Farms and Warren Motors, Inc. She became a real estate broker when Carl opened Erickson Realty during the seventies.
Mary was very much into self-improvement and began a daily yoga practice in the seventies that she continued until her accident. She began golfing with her children in the 1970s, became proficient at tennis, and was an avid pickle ball player into her eighties. She loved reading, doing the daily crossword puzzle, and going to the movies with her daughter.
After divorcing, Mary married John Stewart. They lived in Warren and wintered in Wildwood, Fla. Mary and John enjoyed twenty-six years together until John’s death in January, 2004. Mary was a lifelong member of the Warren Baptist Church.
Mary is survived by her children, Karen Salenius and partner George Bell of Warren, Mark Erickson of Boqueron, Puerto Rico, Rick Erickson of Nobleboro, and Dean Erickson and wife Lisa of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandchildren, Michelle Douglas of Warren, Erica Cole and husband Jason of Denver, Col., and Shane Lohnes and husband John of South Berwick; great-grandchildren, Brianna Damren of Warren, Brandon Douglas of Gardiner, Gavin and Juliette Lohnes of South Berwick, and Pearl Cole of Denver, Col., born on Feb. 2, whom Mary was not able to meet; sisters, Ann Stred of Warren and Lois Engelking of Warren; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Tues., July 21 at Hall’s Funeral Home in Waldoboro. Please come to share your memories of Mary, beginning at 4 p.m.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, 799 West St., Rockport, ME 04856
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall’s of Waldoboro, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
