Mary S. Dunham, 96, died peacefully at home on July 11, surrounded by her loving children.
She was born Sept. 17, 1910 in Lewiston, the daughter of Ernest and Mary Saunders.
After a seven-year courtship, she married her beloved husband, William H. Dunham, in 1938. A year later they moved to Augusta, where her husband joined the legal department of Central Maine Power Company. He later served as its third president.
Mary Dunham was a loving mother of four rambunctious children as well as an enthusiastic caretaker of their menagerie of pets: Colonel the Crow, Coonsie the raccoon, Old Ironside the snapping turtle, and an unexpected alligator in the bathtub! She was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, and delighted in the diverse personalities and activities of her entire family.
An avid gardener, Mary was especially fond of tending her rose garden. She enjoyed fly-fishing, canoeing and participating in a bell-ringing group. For many years, she was on the board of directors of the Home for Little Wanderers in Waterville.
At age 70, she climbed Mt. Katahdin. She loved to travel and at one time, at age 79, backpacked with a granddaughter through France, staying at youth hostels. Other adventures with granddaughters were exploring the Wild West in a covered wagon, hiking the Milford Trek in New Zealand, and traveling in Norway.
Mary often said, “I never felt old at all until age 85!” She truly showed her family and friends the grace of life and the dignity of death.
She was predeceased by a brother, Ernest and sister, Fanny.
Mary is survived by her children and their spouses, Bill and Deborah of Chesterville, Heidi of Los Angeles, Cal., Stella and Pat of Bristol, and Tom and Sandi of Cape Elizabeth; seven grandchildren; and five great-granddaughters.
Memorial service 11 a.m., Tues., July 17 at the Manchester Community Church.
A private burial will be held in Auburn at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Manchester Community Church Memorial Fund for the Memorial Garden, P.O. Box 23, Manchester, ME 04531 or The Manchester Fire Department, c/o Manchester Town Office, P.O. Box 18, Manchester, ME 04531.
