CAMDEN – Mary Hawkins Stinson, 78, of Camden died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004 at her home surrounded by her loving family after a seven-month battle with brain cancer. Born in Rockport on Dec. 23, 1925, she was the daughter of Leland F. and Elsie (Torrey) Hawkins. She was a graduate of Rockport High School and attended the Portland Business School. On July 6, 1947, she married Edward P. Stinson in Rockport. Mrs. Stinson worked as the principal’s secretary at the Rockport High School until 1965 when Rockport and Camden High Schools merged becoming the Camden-Rockport High School on Knowlton Street in Camden. She continued her secretarial position working with many principals until her retirement in 1995. After she retired, she volunteered at the Camden Public Library. She enjoyed gardening, reading, crafts, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren. Her family said she will be remembered as a strong, independent person who loved her family, her cat, Fred and her dog, Leika. Surviving is her son, Edward P. Stinson Jr. and his wife, Norma Leigh, of Lincolnville; two daughters, Rebecca Roper and her husband, Peter, of Camden; and Ellen “Ellie” Beggs and her husband, Scott, of Portland; two sisters, Joyce Andrews of Washington and Kathy Larrabee of Scarborough; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Roper and her husband, Scott Pons, of Duxbury, Mass., Peter Roper Jr. and his wife, Shannon, of Hoboken, N.J., Benjamin Roper, Christopher Beggs, Patrick Beggs, all of Portland, Edward P. Stinson and Sandra Stinson formerly of Lincolnville; and one great-grandchild, Mary Kathryn Pons of Duxbury, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward P. Stinson Sr. who has been waiting for her in heaven since 1995. Calling hours will be 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, at the Robert E. Laite Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden. In keeping with her wishes, a private gathering will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to Coastal Family Hospice, P.O. Box 122, Rockport, Maine 04856; or Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 22 White Street, Rockland, Maine 04841.
MARY H. STINSON
