Mary Ellen Tear

BANGOR – Mary Ellen Tear, Nee Toner, 84, passed away Friday, September 20, 2013, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Mary was born Apr. 1, 1929, in County Armagh, Ireland. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Sarah McGill Toner.

Mary was a homemaker and worked as a crossing guard on Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor. In addition to her family, Mary leaves behind, to cherish her memory, her best friends Doris Erikson and Shirley Doughty and many friends at Veazie Village where she resided for the last 5 years. She enjoyed dining out with her family and growing flowers in the windows of her residence. She enjoyed picnicking at the Kenduskeag Stream. Mary was a great cook and was known for her pizza. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Thomas William Tear, and by her son Paul Kevin Tear. She is survived by a son, Thomas W. of New Castle, DE., five daughters, Deborah Bacon and her husband, Shane, of Hermon, Cindy Butera and her husband, Joseph, of Newburgh, Kimberly Pinto and her husband, Carlo, of Orono, Lisa Haslam and her husband, Paul, of Brewer and Heidi York of Bangor; 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses of the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for the patience and the loving care they showed to our mother.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Wednesday September, 25 at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St. Old Town. Friends may call from 10:00 am until the service. The family requests that everyone wear their favorite color because Mom’s favorite color was whatever your favorite color was. Interment will be at Lawndale Cemetery. Notes of condolences may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com.