Born in Woodland, ME on October 21, 1922 to William Arthur and Bessie Lane Fleming. Mary started school in Brooklyn, NY. Her family then moved to Wellsburg, West Virginia where she graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1940. She then attended Wheeling Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in 1943. Mary then joined the Air Force and served at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama, and then Spence Field in Moulton, Georgia. Mary was transferred to the 7th Army and spent time in Texas while her unit was forming. She was a member of the 127th Evac Hospital SM which landed in France and ended its service in Dachau Concentration Camp in Dachau, Germany as the camp was liberated. Mary was promoted to rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1946.
After discharge from the army, Mary joined her family in Rumford, ME, where she met and married Arthur “Splash” Gallant on May 27, 1946. She continued her career as as a private duty nurse at RCH for 17 years before becoming Gen Duty Night Supervisor and recovery room nurse from 1964 to 1974. Mary decided to further her education and attended St Mary’s School of Anesthesia for RN’s in Lewiston, ME for 2 years. After graduation, Mary used her CRNA degree and worked from 1976 to 1988 at CMMC as staff anesthetist, while raising a family of 3 sons and 1 daughter with her husband.
After retiring, she and her husband traveled and moved to Florida, where they lived on and off for 10 years. After leaving Florida, they resided in Auburn, Turner and back to Rumford.
Mary is survived by her son Lance and his wife Susan of Honolulu, Hawaii; son Lee and his wife Kathy of Rumford; Daughter Lisa Fowler of Mexico, ME, and daughter in law Tammy Gallant of Rumford. Grandchildren Alex Gallant and wife Evette, Danel Gallant, Makenzie Gallant, Kristen Fowler Greene and husband Matt, Sarah Fowler Ball and husband Dave, Brian Fowler, Brad Gallant and his wife Liza, Jane Gallant Clukey and husband Brock, Brittany Gallant and fiancée Pete Allen. Step granddaughter Angela Madigan and husband John III. Great grandchildren Seth and Leah Gallant, Emma and Paisley Clukey, Colton and Chase Gallant, Miles and Lucas Gallant, Addison Greene, Kendall and Noah Ball. Step great grandchildren John IV, Isabelle, William, Elise Madigan. 1 niece and 3 nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, her sister Katherine Paradis, her son Larry, and her grandson Michael.
If so desired contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Androscoggin Hospice House 236 Stetson Rd. Auburn ME 04210.
