Mary Elizabeth Boone DeLong Smith
SMITH, Mary Elizabeth Boone DeLong, 95, PRESQUE ISLE, at Orono, November 11, 2015. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., November 21, 2015, at the Congregational Church, Presque Isle. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – Mary Elizabeth Boone DeLong Smith passed away on Nov. 11, 2015, at Dirigo Pines in Orono, ME. She was born in Presque Isle, to Avis Mary Gilman and Frank Lucius Boone on Jan. 6, 1920.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Charles B. DeLong and Robert N. Smith; son, Peter B. DeLong; grandson, Adam B. DeLong; and infant brother, Richard G. Boone.
She is survived by her children, Charles R. DeLong and his partner, Diane Demmings of Fort Fairfield, ME, Lisbeth A. Culver and her partner, John Boyko of Kirkwood, CA, Daniel B. DeLong and wife, Mary of Ellsworth, ME, and Robert’s children, Parker Smith and wife, Nancy of Moses Lake, WA, and Paulette Tateishi and husband, Richard of Presque Isle, ME; two sisters-in-law: June Smith of Orono, ME, and Nanette Colton of Presque Isle, ME.
Raised as an only child, Mary cherished memories of cousins, playmates and summers spent at Echo Lake. She graduated from the University of Maine in 1941. As a wife and mother, Mary sought strength from friendships forged along the way. She took pride in teaching kindergarten at Gouldville Elementary School in Presque Isle.
Many knew her as an active member of the Presque Isle Congregational Church and for her many years volunteering at the Aroostook Medical Center. Her most cherished hobbies were gardening, birding and caring for her family and home.
Weekly bridge games were a favorite pastime of Mary’s, hosting many at her house and driving friends well into her 90’s. It seems notable that she left us on Veteran’s Day, as she took great pride in the military service of her late husband Robert, late son Peter, and other members of her family who served in our country’s armed services.
Nanna’s humor and kindness offered a special connection and comforting confidence to her grandchildren, DeeDee, Shelly, Jodi, Danielle, JP, Charlie, Brianna, Erin, Ashley, Nathan, Julian, Beth, Stephanie, Amy and Emily. Her good nature and love of children is well represented by her 20 great-grandchildren. She shared in the positive aspect of parenting through her keen eye and lighthearted comments about the little ones. We are all grateful for the time she spent with us and the immeasurable wealth of memories that surround us. As her granddaughter Danielle says, a gift from nature, amazing indeed, the beauty that blossoms from a single seed.
Friends and family may call 10 a.m., November 21, 2015, at the Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Presque Isle, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., with Rev. Timothy Stohlberg officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service at the church. Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Presque Isle. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
