FREEPORT – Mary A. James, 87, died Nov. 25, 2009, at Hawthorne House, Webster Unit, Freeport. She was born in Woodland/Baileyville, a daughter of Paul M. and Susan (Bires) Ivanisin of Woodland/Baileyville. She graduated from Woodland schools and lived in that town for a good portion of her life. She worked in the Woodland school cafeteria and for Ware Knitters Co., Calais. She also worked at Hays Drugstore and Splendid Restaurant, Portland, as a young woman. During World War II, she was a drill press operator and an inspector for airplane parts for General Electric, Bridgeport, Conn. In 1946 she married Charles A. James of Woodland and spent all of her married life in that town. For many years she and her husband belonged to the Spednic Club, Woodland, where they enjoyed bowling and to St. Croix Country Club, Calais, for golfing. Their enjoyment of both these games resulted in their winning many trophies and tournaments enabling them to participate in golfing tournaments throughout Maine and New Brunswick. She was a devout communicant of St. James the Greater Catholic Church, Woodland, where she was noted for many knitted donations for the church fairs and for her peanut butter fudge. She was a member of the church sodality group and enjoyed attending all of their functions. She was also a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She found great enjoyment in dining out with her friends. She also enjoyed knitting, needlework, reading and listening to music. In 1999 she moved to Freeport, where she became a member of St. Jude’s Parish. She made many new friends after moving to Freeport and enjoyed this new area with its many restaurants and shops. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles “Sharkey”; her grandson, Michael J. Kenny; her sister, Anne Wormell; her brother, Michael Ivanisin; and her brother-in-law, P. G. Wormell. She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn A. (James) Kenny and husband, Bill, of Cumberland Foreside; a grandson, Timothy Kenny of Colorado; her sister-in-law, Evelyn Ivanisin of Holden, Mass.; several nieces and nephews. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the personnel at Freeport Place and Webster Unit at Hawthorne House, Freeport, for their loving care and compassion. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Freeport Community Library, Library Drive, Freeport, ME 04032, for the purchase of large print books in remembrance of her love of reading.
MARY A. JAMES
