Mary was born February 26, 1947, in Belfast, Maine, to Edward L. and Eva (Jackson) Penley.
She was a 1965 Graduate of Falmouth High School. While working at the Barbeau Hospital in Brunswick, Maine, 1969. She met her husband of 56 years Jerry M. Bahnson, who was attached to Brunswick Naval Station. They Married on Great Island, Maine, September 5, 1969. Starting right away they deployed to Kodiak Alaska. As a military wife she traveled extensively with her husband and two daughters all over the United States until Jerry’s retirement from the US Navy in 1986.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry M. Bahnson of Gray. Her daughter Elizabeth A. Blanchard and her husband David Blanchard of Raymond, Six Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren, she is also survived by her sister Sally LaVertu, of Brewer.
Mary loved Decorative Painting and belonged to the local group Sea Strokes of Maine Decorative Painters in Westbrook, and The Society of Decorative Painters, the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen, and United Maine Craftsmen. She loved to paint and her husband Jerry would do the woodwork. She and Jerry bowled while in the Navy. After his retirement she loved to go fishing with Jerry.
She was very proud of her work with the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, and Maine Bureau of Transportation getting Safety Grants to bring Child Passenger Safety classes to the State of Maine as well as the Distracted Driving, Impaired Driving and Mature Driving to Maine. She was also a Board Member and Secretary for the Maine Transportation Safety Coalition for a few years.
Most of all Mary loved spending time with her family.
Mary was predeceased by both her parents and daughter Eva M. Bahnson.
Honoring Mary’s request, there will be no services.
Mary and her family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for all their great care, especially Amanda RN and Judy CNA.
Any who wish to make a contribution in memory of Mary may send a contribution to: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
