Born in Lubec, Me the daughter of Walter and Mildred (Lovatt) Small she was raised on the Island of Grand Manan in New Brunswick Canada’s Bay of Fundy. After graduating from Grand Manan High School in 1947 she and her twin sister (Jetta), at the age of 17, moved to the city of Portland to attend Maine General Hospital Nursing School at Maine General Hospital, now MMC, and graduated as an RN in 1952. After marrying her husband, Herbert, they moved to San Diego, CA where he was stationed in the US Navy. They later moved back to Portland to raise their family and pursue other things. Mary worked as an RN for many years at GYN Associates and Drs. Zerner, McLean, and Caldwell.
Although Mary enjoyed her work he had other passion. One of those was planting and maintaining her beautiful flower gardens and watching the birds that would flock around her many feeders scattered throughout the yard. She enjoyed watching and cheering for all New England sport teams and playing bingo. Mary and Herbert owned race horses and many weekends would be found traveling around Maine and down to Yonkers Raceway in New York. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a successful business. In the summers she could be found spending time at Sebago Basin and Naples Campgrounds enjoying nature.
Mary is survived by her daughter Robin McAlister Lawson and husband Tom Lawson of Biddeford, son Dennis H McAlister and wife Cathy of Cape Elizabeth, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, two brothers Spencer and Burton Small, a sister Jetta Smith and a grandson Andrew.
The family would like to have you share in her memories during visiting hours on Wednesday May 30th from 11:00 – 12:00pm immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 12:00pm at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland ME 207-775-3763. Committal services will be private at Mary’s request.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Westbrook Animal Refuge League, 217 Landing Rd, Westbrook ME 04092 or Prides Corner Congregational Church, 235 Pride St, Westbrook ME 04092 or VNA Hospice, 50 Foden Rd, South Portland ME 04106.
You may also share your memories or condolences at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
