MARY ELLA (GINN) AVERILL

BANGOR – Mary Ella (Ginn) Averill, 74, died peacefully March 13, 2009, with family at her side. She was born Jan. 16, 1935, in Bangor, daughter of the late Gertrude (Twitchell) Ginn and Mark W. Ginn. Mary Ella was married for 43 years to the late Glenn C. Averill. Mary Ella graduated from Bangor High School in 1953, where she participated in numerous clubs and activities. She particularly enjoyed playing basketball and field hockey. She graduated from the University of Maine in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in education. At the University of Maine, she was member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and formed numerous lasting friendships, many of which have endured to this day. One particular special bond was forged with a certain Beta Theta Pi fraternity brother, Glenn Averill, whom she married the day after their graduation, thus ensuring their closest friends could be in attendance. The love, laughter and friendship shared between these college sweethearts continued to grow, spanning a full five decades. After college Mary Ella and Glenn lived briefly in the Portland area, where she was a grade school educator. Shortly after the birth of their first child the family relocated to Bangor. As her family grew, so did Mary Ella’s involvement in her children’s activities and endeavors. Her countless roles included Sub Deb advisor, ski boat driver, family coordinator at weekend swim meets and graduation party chaperone. Mary Ella’s lifelong devotion to her family, children and grandchildren came to define the extraordinary selflessness and compassion for which she is cherished. Her reach extended to the lives of her children’s friends and their families as well. Indeed, there is not a soul who met Mary Ella who did not receive a batch, or several, of her incredible chocolate chip cookies. Mary Ella and her friends were members of numerous area organizations: Quipus, the Junior League and of course, the Wednesday Bridge Group. For many years she and her sister hosted their famous wine and cheese party, an annual gathering of the many women with whom they worked, volunteered and shared true friendship. A lover of music, Mary Ella could play nearly any requested song on the piano by ear. On occasion she would also play the accordion she had as a teenager, albeit reluctantly, when her children would retrieve it from its basement hiding spot. The family camp on Green Lake was the setting for many a summer gathering. In recent years Mary Ella derived great satisfaction enjoying the lake with her seven grandchildren. While her children were young the family took many vacations throughout the U.S. and Canada. In more recent years, she and Glenn enjoyed trips to Mexico, the American Southwest and the Pacific Northwest. From the first family vacation to her travels in recent years, Mary Ella chronicled each journey with extensive albums of photographs. Mary Ella is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Dickson and family of Bangor; and her son, Stephen Averill and family of Scarborough. Her daughters, Shirley Averill MacDonald and Karen L. Averill, predeceased her. Nana shall be especially missed by Katy and Sarah MacDonald, Jennifer and Cameron Dickson, and Ally, Jonah and Zoe Averill. She is also survived by one sister, Shirley E. Ginn of Bangor; two brothers, Herbert E. Ginn of Scarborough and Robert E. Ginn of Wellington, Fla.; nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 16, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St., Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. Randall C. Chretien, pastor, officiating. Private interment will be held Tuesday afternoon at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Mary Ella in a special way may contribute to the Karen Averill Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Bangor School Department, 73 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.