ANDOVER — Mary Gammon Bailey, 88, of Andover went home to heaven on Good Friday, April 14. She died peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born on Nov. 14, 1928, in Peru, to Ira and Mary Gammon. She graduated in 1948 from Stevens High School in Rumford. On May 14, 1949, she was married to Ernest E. Rickards and had five children; Ernest predeceased her in 1963. On June 15, 1966, she married Clarence J. Bailey. They combined families, and she took his six children as her own. Together they had one daughter, which made one big happy family of 12 children.

Mary and Clarence worked on their dairy farm side by side with their family for many years. She was an active member of Calvary Bible Church in South Andover, serving as a Sunday school teacher, deacon’s wife and a member of the Hospitality Committee and Missions Committee. She held women’s Bible study groups in her home for many years, and she also was an active member of the Andover Community Club. She loved to cook, sew, knit, quilt, garden, read and serve others. She was so proud of her big family, and she loved to serve her community through her faith. She was a loving soul with beautiful prayers that touched many lives.

She is survived by her children and their families, Rosalie and husband, John Holliday, of Bethel, Howard and wife, Laurie Bailey, of Andover, Barbara Rickards Dakin of Andover, June and husband, Mike Inman, of Albany Township, Rick “Ernest” and wife, Carole Rickards, of West Peru, Donald and wife, Barbara Bailey, of Andover, Randall and wife, Ginny Rickards, of Union, Kathy Tibbetts of Bethel, Patricia (Rickards) and husband, Steve Wood, of Warren, and Judy and husband, Garth Conrad, of Andover; daughter-in-law, Sharon Rickards of Rumford; and son-in-law, James Young of Bethel; her siblings, Clifford Gammon of Rumford and Marilyn White of Andover; 29 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Rickards; her husband, Clarence Bailey; her daughter, Nancy Bailey Young; her son, Barry Rickards; her son-in-law, Brian Tibbetts; and eight brothers and sisters, Ted Lufkin, Warren Gammon, Ira Gammon, Marion Gordon, Elaine Akers, Chester Gammon, June Hutchins and Frank Gammon.

Share thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Bailey family by visiting their guestbook at www.sgthibaultfuneralhome.com.

Mary Gammon Bailey