STOCKTON SPRINGS – Mary Staples died peacefully May 13, 2010, at Tall Pines, Belfast. Mary was born April 28, 1937, in Prospect, to James and Hannah (Findlay) Smith, who were both Scottish immigrants. Mary attended the one-room Prospect Elementary School and graduated from Stockton Springs High School in 1955. Through the generosity of her friend, Mr. James Duncan, Mary was able to attend Gorham State Teachers College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education in 1959. Mary taught at each of the elementary schools at the former SAD 56, but spent most of her career at Frankfort Elementary. Mary was passionate about sharing her love of reading with her students and filled her classroom with quality children’s literature. Mary was one of the early adopters of computers in education and became a leader in her school in teaching students and staff in their use. Mary also loved helping her students learn to perform either in plays or in public speaking events. She also taught her students the value of organization by letting them plan their annual trip to Baxter State Park. In 1989 she was awarded the school district’s Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award. In recognition of her years of service to the school, the staff chose to name the school’s library in her honor, calling it The Mary F. Staples Library. After retiring she loved spending as much time as possible with her beloved grandchildren and working in her many gardens. Mary traveled frequently throughout the United States and abroad. Mary joined the Bangor area YMCA and enjoyed attending their fitness classes, where she made many new friends. Mary was a great sports fan and loved watching Red Sox, Celtics and Black Bear hockey games. In April 2001, Mary and her husband, Basil, were among the founding members of Stockton Springs Community Library. Although the library is run by an amazing group of committed volunteers, Mary served as the unofficial head librarian for more than eight years. Mary is survived by her husband of 53 years Basil Staples; a daughter, Dawn Staples-Knox and her husband, Andrew Knox, and their children, Dylan and Lucy Knox; a daughter, Andrea Staples; a son, Scott Staples and his wife, Nancy Rimm Staples, and their children, Logan and Tori Staples; and special friends, Howard and Katherine Clark and Abby Norman. She will be missed by her dear sister-in-law, Gertrude Smith and her family in Scotland and Australia; as well as her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her two brothers, Tommy and Jack Smith; and her baby son, Spencer. Mary’s wishes did not include funeral services, but friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. Friends and family will be invited to attend a celebration of Mary’s life, which will be held at a later date. Mary requested that anyone wishing to make donations in her honor should send them to Stockton Springs Community Library, Stockton Springs Ambulance Service, a local animal shelter or humane society.
MARY F. STAPLES
