Bar Harbor
Mary Anne Starbird, 75, died peacefully holding the hand of her husband of 56 years on June 23, 2012 at MDI hospital. She was born July 14, 1936 in Corinna the daughter of Edward Barry and Elsie Mary (Crowell) Holt, Jr.
Mary Anne graduated from Corinna Union Academy, where she was an excellent student and basketball player. She attended the University of Maine at Orono for two years where she met her future husband, Edric P. Starbird. Upon his graduation they married and moved to Boston where Mary Anne attended Boston University.
They were transferred for Edric’s work to Springfield, MA. where two of their children Scott and Russell were born. They later moved to Houston, TX where their third son Edric N. was born and Mary Anne completed her bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Laude in art at the University of Houston. Represented by major galleries in Houston and Scottsdale, AZ, her art was sold to banks, corporations and private collectors throughout the Southwest. She also won numerous art contests in the Southwest. She was a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society.
Throughout her life, Mary Anne immersed herself in the world that inspired her art. She climbed the Continental Divide twice, summited Mt. Katahdin on several occasions crossing the Knife Edge, and camped in Death Valley. She backpacked, canoed, and hiked through rainforests, deep woods, and alpine tundra in search of the ideas for her great works of art. She was a strong, adventurous woman.
Mary Anne returned to Maine in 1993 with Edric and built their home in Bar Harbor. She was active in the Bar Harbor Congregational Church where she served on several boards/committees becoming chair of Out Reach, chair of the Board of Deacons, and an original member of the Called to Care Ministry. She was a member of the Bar Harbor Rotary Club.
Mary Anne is survived by her faithful husband of 56 years, Edric P. Starbird, of Bar Harbor; 3 sons, Scott Starbird and wife Valerie, of San Rafael, CA, Russell Starbird of San Mateo, CA and Edric N. Starbird and partner, Stephanie Ohmacht, of Denver, CO.; a sister, Judy Richards and husband, Ronald, of Corinna; 7 grandchildren, Ryan, Gregory, Castine, Renata, Siena, Katrina, and Weston; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Mary Anne’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church with Rev. Dr. Sandra Reed officiating. Interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor, with a celebration of Mary Anne’s life to follow.
Those who desire may make contributions in Mary Anne’s memory to the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, 29 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor, 04609.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 main St. Mt. Desert.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com