BLUE HILL - Mary M. Astbury, 84, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on November 14, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. She was born February 29, 1928 in Surry, the daughter of Samuel A. and Florence (Wood) McGraw. Mary was the youngest of ten children.
Mary graduated from George Stevens Academy, in the class of 1944 at the age of 16. Following graduation she went to work for Webber Cove Boatyard, and then married Maynard (Mike) Astbury in 1947. This was the beginning of a true love story. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last April. Mary was a member of the First Baptist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, served as a school board member, and was the cook for the Kneisel Hall music program for over 20 years. She was also secretary and bookkeeper for M.E. Astbury & Son as well as the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club of Blue Hill. Her most important job however, was being a wife, mother and homemaker.
Mary is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Mike; 6 children; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren:
Daughter, Cherry Stanko and her husband, Ron and their daughter, Samantha Jones and her husband Josh, all of Blue Hill; Daughter, Terry Mattson and her husband Bruce, their children, Matthew and his wife Amy, their children, Max, Caden, and Julie, Katye LaCasse and her husband Jim, their children, Caleb, Colin, and Colby, all of Blue Hill, Brock Mattson and his wife, Jessica, and their children, Madison and Keenan, of Ellsworth, Chad Mattson and his wife Katie and their children, Crüe and Romy of Spring Hill, Tennessee; Leah Mattson of Blue Hill. Son, Michael Astbury and his wife Pat and their children, Shelly Schildroth and her husband Cory and their children, Taylor, Mya, and Chloe of Blue Hill, Michael and his wife, Jess, and Josh and his wife Kim, all of Blue Hill, Daughter, Patty Clapp and her husband Rob, and their children, Sarah Clapp and her husband, David Gribbin, of Okinawa, Mark Clapp and his wife, Laura of Blue Hill, Lydia Clapp and Anna Clapp of Blue Hill and Colorado, Daughter, Karen Doten and her husband Paul of Holden and their children, Eben Doten and his wife, Whitney and their children, Cy and Liam of Bangor, Kalyn Griffin and her husband, Josh and soon to be baby Griffin of Eddington, and Alex Doten of Holden, Daughter, Mary Ann Lord and her husband, Kerry of Blue Hill and their children, Jasmine Arsenau and her husband, Andrew and their daughter, Arianna, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Josiah Lord of Blue Hill, Kerisa Potter and her husband, Chris of San Antonio, Texas, Abby Lord, Rachel Lord, and Bethany Lord all of Blue Hill. Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews, many friends and her faithful dog, Chloe.
A service of celebration will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Blue Hill.
Memorial gifts may be sent to The McGraw Educational Fund, 529 Morgan Bay Road, Surry, ME 04684.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St. Blue Hill
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald