Mary Stella New

Mary New (nee Bardwell) of Cary, NC, formerly of Utica, NY, died on July 20, 2025. She celebrated her 90th birthday in May, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Bardwell was born at home on the farm in Litchfield, NY, on May 21, 1935. She was the loving daughter of Aurora Peace DiMare and Warne E. Bardwell. She grew up in Utica, NY surrounded by a large family including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was a loving and devoted daughter to both her parents. She recently suffered the loss of her beloved younger brother “Bill” Bardwell.

Mary was a great student, graduating with honors in 1953 from Thomas R. Proctor High School. She played on the girls’ basketball, softball, and field hockey teams, was a member of the French and Latin Clubs, and the National Honor Society.

She loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with her dad outdoors. Mary was fortunate to have her “Mama” with her most of her adult life. In 2015, Mary relocated to Cary, NC to live with her daughter Johanna Donovan. Mary is survived by her two daughters Laurie (Nelson) LaMothe, formerly of Boston and Vermont, now living in Cary, NC, and Johanna Donovan, also of Cary, NC. Mary loved living in beautiful North Carolina and often compared its beauty to that of the hills and mountains of the Adirondacks.

She loved spending time on the NC coast. Mary was predeceased by her son, John W. Van Dusen, her stepson Bobby New, and her husband LeRoy L. New. She is survived by six grandchildren, Alexander (Carissa) DeMare, Tyler LaMothe, Caitlin Donovan Bumgarner (Cameron), Patrick (Marin) Donovan, and twins Olivia and Emily Giglio and their mother Debbie Giglio. She was the proud “GGMA” to three great grandchildren, Atlas and Uther Donovan and Aurora DeMare. Additional close surviving family include her Uncle Angelo (Sandy) DiMare of Whitesboro, NY, stepson William “Bill” New, sister-in law, Karen Bardwell, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, nieces, Robin (John) Podgorski, Tracy (Glen) Dargy, and nephew, Warne “Ed” (Tammy) Bardwell, Jr., and many other great nieces and nephews. Her California cousin, Fran Bardwell Shields (Russ) and her dearest and oldest friend, “Aunt” Rose DeSantis of Utica, NY will mourn her deeply. Mary will be reunited with her beloved kitty companion of 17 years Bella.

Family service and burial are private. The inurnment will be at Fairchild Cemetery, Bardwell Mills, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts in Mary’s name go to the NC State College of Veterinary, Medicine c/o Development Office, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the New family.