BANGOR – Mary Bickford Wyman, 83, died July 28, 2004, in Bangor. She was born June 9, 1922, in Ellsworth, to Harry E. and Angie Mae (Paine) Bickford. She attended Bangor schools, graduating in 1940 and then attended and graduated from the University of Maine in Orono in 1944. After graduation, she received an appointment as an engineer with NACA (the predecessor of today’s NASA) at Langley Research Center in Virginia and married Samuel D. Wyman Jr. of Brewer, her husband of 55 years before he died in 1999, in a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C. Returning to Bangor in 1946, she gave birth to her only son, Sam III, and then returned to her career with several architectural firms while being wife and mother. On several occasions, she went back to government service to oversee major construction projects at then Dow Air Force Base and other local government installations returning to the private sector. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother and engineer, Mary had a profound love of music from her early childhood fostered by her mother who had been an accomplished concert pianist and became an accomplished pianist and flutist. She played in many local bands with her husband including the Bangor Band where she was also the music librarian. Her real love in music was teaching and inspiring young and old alike to enjoy playing music regardless how accomplished they were or not and had taught many but inspired more. Mary Bickford Wyman is survived by her son, Samuel D. Wyman III and his wife, Susan, of Virginia; two granddaughters, Jennifer Staten and Katherine Wyman, both of Atlanta, Ga.; her youngest brother, Clyde Moody Bickford, his wife, Jean, and daughter, Brenda Smith; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother, Harry Jr. Friends may call 9-10 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2004, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. Henry G. Wyman officiating. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to any Alzheimer’s Foundation.
MARY (BICKFORD) WYMAN
