HOULTON – Marion Staples Cowperthwaite, 90, died June 23, 2012, at her home with her family at her side. She was born Aug. 21, 1921, in Wales, the daughter of Walter and Mary Mae Staples.
After graduating from Edward Little High School, Auburn, Marion traveled to Florida to find employment in the food service business where she met Albro Foster Cowperthwaite of Monticello, who was also in the vocation. They returned to Maine and Marion married Albro June 4, 1941. Albro passed away July 29, 2011, following celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary. In 1942 they opened Al’s Food Shop, Auburn, and as business grew they opened five additional restaurants in Waterville, Newport, Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton. In 1952 they purchased a motel and campground at Crescent Park on Nickerson Lake in Houlton. In the 1960s, they liquidated most of the restaurants and the campground and focused their effects on the Houlton location and formed Statewide Caterers. During the next 25 years, they catered to banquets, weddings and other functions from Kittery to Fort Kent. Their motto: “Catering for 1 person to 5,000.” All their food was homemade and with their children working by their side and the help of many very dedicated employees, the result was a very successful family business. After 45 years of serving food, they retired in 1986 and enjoyed many winters at Daytona Beach, Fla. Marion loved her family, especially her grandchildren, playing canasta, and her trips around the U.S., Canada and Europe. She was a member of Houlton’s Business and Professional Women’s Association and Houlton Hospital Auxiliary.
Marion leaves behind her very special daughter, Mary Cowperthwaite, who cared for her daily until her passing; three sons and their wives, Kevin and Janet (Small), Neil and Pamela (Stuber), and Albro Jr. and Linda (Reardon); eight grandchildren, Ellen, Kim, Martha, Jonathan, Catherine, Anne, Jennie and Jacob, who affectionately call her “Grammy Donut” due to the famous glazed donuts cooked in her restaurant; 10 great-grandchildren, Lauren, Courtney, Kate, Elizabeth, Jack, Sylvia, Max, Quinn, Brody and Brennan; one sister, June Woods of Florida; and one brother, Edward Staples of New Hampshire. She was predeceased by her husband; and her brother, Linwood Staples.
Following her wishes, there will be no memorial services. Her family will celebrate her life at a private ceremony at a later date. She loved her cats and loved to read so gifts may be made in Marion’s memory to Houlton Humane Society,
Cary Library or the charity of one’s choice, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and guest book at
www.dunnfuneral.com.