Mary Richardson

NEW GLOUCESTER – Mary Richardson, 96, of New Gloucester, formally of Auburn, passed away peacefully, May 13, 2025, with her family by her side while listening to her favorite music group, Schooner Fare.

She was born Nov. 10, 1928, in Auburn, the second of six children born to Francis C. O’Connor and Evelyn Cobb O’Connor. Mary graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn and the University of Maine in 1984 after completing her final semester in Ireland.

Mary was employed by New England Telephone for 45 years and after retiring she went to work for L.L.Bean for 15 years. She also served on the Board of Lewiston Auburn Children’s Home and the United Way of Androscoggin County. She was a volunteer poll worker for the town of New Gloucester and a friend of the public library.

She spent her early years in Auburn where she raised her children. She later moved to New Gloucester, where she and her family enjoyed the peaceful beauty of Sabbathday Lake. Most summer afternoons Mary could be found swimming across the cove to Black Point. She continued this daily swim until she was 94 years young.

She was an avid bridge player and world traveler. Mary had taken more than 15 cruises, ridden a camel at the great Sphinx of Giza and hiked to Machu Picchu. She also backpacked across Australia at the age of 65. In true Mary fashion, she enlisted the help of the young travelers on the tour to help set up her camp at night. She truly had a way of making everyone feel welcome and special, even a stranger. She loved her family trips to Ireland, especially the one that included the Tommy Makem tour.

Mary married Davis I. Richardson in 1948, and they spent 62 years together before his passing in 2010. She was the devoted mother of four children. Davis, Barry, Debra and Brian.

She is survived by daughter, Debra of New Gloucester, sons Barry of Auburn amd Brian (Kathleen) of Hopewell, N.J., and daughter-in-law, Barbi Richardson of Boyds, Md. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Davis Richardson, Shannon Wall (Bruce), Ashley Roy (Jon), Lindsey Richardson (Ann), Erin Hamlin (Brian), Robert Houle, Kelsey Williams (Conner), Kyle Richardson (Alexa); as well as 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; and many nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Evelyn O’Connor; her husband, Davis I. Richardson; her son, Davis M. Richardson and her daughter-in-law, Deborah Bugel Richardson; her brothers Francis O’Connor and Robert O’Connor, and her sisters Margaret Bartlett, Eleanor Cummings, and Joan Friend.

The family would like to thank the staff at Schooner Estates Memory Care and Andwell Health Partners for their kindness these past months.

In keeping with Mary’s request, no public service will be held. The family will gather at a later date to celebrate her life.

Those we love don’t go away,

They walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near,

Still Loved, still missed, and very dear.

“I’ll see you one day in Fiddlers Green”

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin & Pinette Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210, 207-783-8545.

Those who wish to honor her may do so through a donation to the

American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org or the

Shriners Hospital for Children New England

516 Carew St.

Springfield, Mass.