ELLSWORTH – Mary Frances Sprague, also known to her grandchildren as “Princess,” died most peacefully in the early morning hours of Sept. 5, 2011, surrounded by her loving family at Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Center. She is free at last from the bonds of Parkinson’s disease. Mary was born Oct. 27, 1929, in Ellsworth, the daughter of Elwood and Marion (Trainor) Patten.
Mary, a lifelong resident of Ellsworth, graduated from Ellsworth High School, class of 1947. She married the love of her love, Glendon Preston Sprague, July 27, 1949. They recently celebrated 62 years of marriage together during which they raised three children. Mary worked at Hancock County Court House in two different offices. For many years she was a clerk in the Registry of Deeds and subsequently was elected registrar of deeds, where she served the citizens of Hancock County for several years. She finished her career at the Department of Civil Defense. Mary and her husband Glen devoted their lives to their children and were blessed with seven grandchildren who kept them very busy attending their academic, music and sports activities. Mary enjoyed music, dancing, reading, crossword puzzles, keeping scrapbooks and relaxing at her camp on Molasses Pond. In retirement Mary especially enjoyed her numerous trips to different parts of the country with Glen. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Glendon; children, Julie and her husband, Roger Grindle, Rick and his wife, Rochelle Sprague, and Janis and her husband, Tom Frost; grandchildren, Shayna Nickerson and husband, Michael, Joshua Frost and wife, Susan, Timothy Frost and wife, Amanda, Travis Frost and girlfriend, Lacie Dow, Aaron Sprague and wife, Jessica, Shawn Grindle and girlfriend, Josslyn DeCrosta, and Ashlee Robinson and husband, David; five delightful great-grandchildren, who brought her much joy and happiness, Elizabeth, Emma, Hannah, Noah and Ian Frost; her only sister, Laureen Leland and husband, Robert; brother-in-law, Lester Sprague and wife, Harriet; and sister-in-law, Lois Preble and husband, Jack. She will also be missed by several nieces and nephews, as well as her cousins here and on Prince Edward Island.
There will be a vigil service, which is a time of celebration of life, reflection and prayer, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the parish center next to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the church with the Rev. Scott Mower presiding. After the interment at Woodbine Cemetery, a time of fellowship and remembrance will be held in the parish center. Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Ellsworth High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 11, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or the charity of your choice. Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Ellsworth, is handling the arrangements.