MARY E. DELANO

RUMFORD – Mrs. Mary E. Delano, 86, died Thursday, May 29, 2008, at Rumford Community Home. She was a resident of Ridge Road, Peru, Maine. Born Dec. 20, 1921, in Mexico, Maine, she was a daughter of Seaward and Emma (McRae) MacDonald. She graduated from Mexico High School with the Class of 1939, where she received her letter in music. Prior to her marriage, she was a sales clerk for Woolworth and J.J. Newberry’s, Rumford and also was a waitress for summer camps such as Snow Falls, Indian Rock Camps, in Hanover and Ocean Park on the coast of Maine until her marriage in 1949. She attended Dixfield Church of the Nazarene and was formerly a member of Mexico Baptist Church and Peru Baptist Church. She was a life member of Peru Historical Society, a former member of West Peru Grange, member of West Peru Extension Club, and member of American Legion Post No. 199, Auxiliary, Peru, Maine. Mary liked her trips every summer to Boothbay Harbor. She liked company and always had a cup of tea for them with her great yeast rolls, homemade pies and molasses cookies. She enjoyed looking at her flower gardens and watching her birds and could identify every one of them. She loved and enjoyed her grandchildren, traveling in state and across the country to visit them and attend family reunions. During the past 12 years, she suffered broken bones due to osteoporosis and other serious illness; she never complained. She loved the Creator and his son, Jesus. She was on her knees with her Bible each night before going to bed, and prayed faithfully for her family. She was married Aug. 16, 1949, in Mexico, Maine, to Clinton Thomas Delano of Peru, who survives her. Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Naomi Naylor and her husband, Ernest, of Quaker Town, Pa.; two sons, Lance Delano of Peru, Maine, and Andrew Delano of Lewiston; and two grandchildren, April Johnson of Seattle and Steven Johnson of Quaker Town, Pa. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Stanley McRae in 1963; and her son-in-law, Steve Johnson in 1984. The family expresses their sincere thanks to the staff at Rumford Community Home, and to Tammy Bean and the Hospice workers for their excellent care of Mary during her stay there. Also a special thanks to David Saphier for saving Mary’s life more than 10 years ago. It was an extra 10 years we will always cherish. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford, with Pastor Larry Shaw officiating. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Canton. Friends are invited to call after 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Those who desire may contribute in her memory to Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt Delano Memorial Youth Fund, care of United Baptist Church of Peru, 98 Main St., Peru, ME 04290. Email condolences may be expressed at Meaderfh@gwi.net.