WILLIMANTIC – Mary Helen Fernald Sanborn, 75, died March 4, 2007, at an Ellsworth hospital. She was born July 2, 1931, in Ellsworth, the daughter of Abraham Chadwick and Helen Alberta (McFarland) Fernald III. Mary Helen graduated in 1952 from the University of Maine – Orono; a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and in 1962 with a master’s in English literature. She studied at Oxford University, England, and later received her doctorate in English history from Brown University, Providence, R.I. She taught at Fryeburg Academy. Reading was her passion and she shared her love of history with her students. Mary Helen married Lt. Col. Bert “Sandy” S. Sanborn, in 1983. They made their home in Willimantic, where they both enjoyed the area and living close to nature. Mary Helen is survived by two stepsons, Carl H. Sanborn of Bangor, and Don W. Sanborn of Seabrook, Md.; a stepdaughter, Janet C. Nelson of Festus, Mo.; a brother, Paul C. Fernald of Portland; a nephew, Robert C. Fernald of Yarmouth; a niece, Joan T. Fernald of Las Vegas; five cousins, Allen C. Fernald, John S. Fernald Jr., Robert B. Fernald, William C. Fernald, and Thomas J. Fernald, all of Mount Desert; and two great-nephews, Alex and Ian Fernald. She was predeceased by her husband, Sandy, Nov. 3, 1993. Graveside services will be held in the spring at Brookside Cemetery, Mount Desert. Those who desire may make contributions in Mary Helen’s memory to the Somesville Library Association, P.O. Box 280, Mt. Desert, ME 04660. Condolences may be expressed online at www.jordanfernald.com
MARY HELEN FERNALD SANBORN, PH.D.
