AUBURN – During the evening of April 28, Mary K. Goodale of Wales, passed away, after a long courageous battle with cancer, but her indomitable spirit lives on.

She was the daughter of Maurice and Dorothea Saunders Kelley and graduated from South Portland High School in 1950.

She was known for her singing. She was particularly proud of her accomplishments as a Sweet Adeline member and of her quartet, “Summer Sounds,” which won third place in an international competition in Dallas, Texas.

She was also an ardent fisherman, as she preferred to be called, and especially loved the fishing vacations that she and the love of her life, Bill Parquette, took to Chibougamou, Quebec, and Lake Ontario. She also loved fishing the Rangeley area, Chain of Ponds and also Sabattus Lake, where she lived.

She was a firm believer in alternative medicine and used various treatments in conjunction with some of the traditional methods for bone and lung cancers. As a breast cancer survivor of 12 years, she was a firm believer in natural supplements, vitamins, minerals and herbs as a part of a daily nutritional regiment. She was an amazing woman who defied the odds. In the year 2000 she was given a maximum of two years to live, but she lived five years beyond this best-case scenario. She baffled the medical community. Her belief was that her natural approach to cancer treatment, along with her positive attitude and strong will, were the reasons for her longevity.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Bridges of Gray and MaryEllen Walthall of Virginia; sons, Philip Bridges of Gorham and John Bridges of Saco; a brother, Robert Kelley, and his wife, Judy, of South Portland; a daughter-in-law, Carole Bridges of Scarborough; her grandchildren, Nicholas and Ryan Bridges, Elisha Bridges, Colin Bridges Griffin, Danielle and Stephen Walthall, Rachael O’Donnell, Tina McDonald, Charley Howe and “adopted grandson” Evan Parquette; her great-granddaughter, Heaven Renee Walthall; numerous nieces and nephews; her devoted caregiver and soulmate of 24 years, William Parquette; and their Irish setter, Teddy.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Betty Foss; and son, Stephen Bridges.

On Mary’s behalf we want to thank the Monmouth Rescue and the Wales Fire Department for their prompt and professional services. We would especially like to thank the Hospice House in Auburn for their dedication and compassion.

The care that Mary received there was beyond compare. Mary felt incredibly fortunate that she was able to spend her final days in such a supportive and positive environment.