Mary R. Vose

Vose, Mary R., 89, October 30, 2007.  Arrangements by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.  Interment was held in the Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.     Falmouth – Mary Rush Vose, 89, of Falmouth died Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at the Falmouth House. She was under the devoted care of Beacon Hospice. Mary was born in Debec, New Brunswick, Canada on April 22, 1918. She was the daughter of potato farmers, James R. Rush and Matilda (McLaughlin) Rush.
    The family moved across the border to the United States in 1929, and she attended schools in Hodgdon. She was a small town girl; she retained a deep love for Aroostook County throughout her life and often wondered aloud why anyone would want to live any place else.
    She graduated from Hodgdon High School in 1935 and then attended Farmington Normal School for three years. She then taught in Linneus, Anson, and Waterville. During the War she oversaw prisoners of war in the pea factory in Houlton.  Shortly after WWII, she went on a blind date with Thomas S. Vose of Caribou, a returning veteran. He was taken with her dark blue eyes and wavy black hair, while she was impressed by how carefully he peeled cucumbers and how delicately he presented the food. She was smitten, but it still took a few months for him to win her over. They were married on June 24, 1947.
    Mary taught in a one room school house in Easton, while Tom was principal of the high school. She had three children before, the family moved to Bangor. Mary stayed home, had two more children, while finishing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Maine.
    The family moved to Scarborough in 1958. Tom worked as the superintendent of schools in the town, and Mary taught reading at King Junior High School in Portland. Known for her impeccable manners and love of books, she had high expectations for her five children and her students.
    The couple moved to Wells in 1972, where Mary taught at Noble Junior High School, Sanford Junior High School and Wells Elementary Schools. She continued coursework at the University of Southern Maine and earned a Masters Degree in education.
    She retired from teaching in 1976 and immersed herself in her new role as a grandmother. She imbued in her grandchildren a love of books, nature walks, molasses cookies with sprinkles and Len Libby’s chocolates, and clip-on earrings. Her family always came first. She kept close tabs on the lives of her five children, their children, as well as her many nieces and nephews.
    Mary was always dressed just so: her blouses pressed, her heels high, and her red lipstick freshly applied. It was only at the end of her life that she missed Sunday Mass.
    She was predeceased by her husband, Tom, and her grand-daughter Emily Knight. She is survived by her daughters, Sarah (Sally) Mackenzie and her husband Cal, of Bowdoinham, Deborah Vose and her husband Steven Roman of Hingham, Mass, and Rebecca Vose and her husband Steven Schreckinger of Belmont, Mass; and her sons, Peter Vose and his wife Pam of Portland, and Arthur Vose and his wife Margaret of Arundel; as well as 11 grandchildren.
    Visiting hours were held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2007 at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 04106. A Funeral Mass was held 11 a.m. Friday, November 2 at St. John the Evangelist in South Portland. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the University of Maine Farmington,  246 Main Street, Farmington, Maine 04938, (207) 778-7050.