GARDINER - Mary Frances Maschino, 88, died peacefully on Saturday, October 10th at the Balsam House in Readfield, Maine.

She was born in Gardiner, Maine, on December 12, 1937, to Joseph B. and Dorothy M. (Austin) McNamara.

Mary grew up in Gardiner, Maine, enjoying Girl Scouts, reading, working at the Gardiner Public Library, visiting with friends and relatives, playing the piano, and playing the cornet in the high school band – where she met her future husband, Jerry.

She graduated from Gardiner High School, attended University of Maine in Orono before transferring to Simmons College in Boston, earning a degree in Library Science. After marrying Jerry in 1963, they moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts; Stratham, New Hampshire; East Greenwich, Rhode Island; Townsend, Massachusetts; Waverly, Pennsylvania; and Indianapolis, Indiana, before retiring to her family home in Gardiner, Maine, becoming snowbirds, spending winters in Florida. As a stay-at-home mom, Mary volunteered at local libraries, the kids’ schools, scouts, and community organizations. For many years she served as the crossing guard at the Community House in Waverly and she worked at the Abington Community Library. In Indianapolis, she studied for two years at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and became a docent, giving tours and sharing her knowledge and love of art while she was working at Girls, Inc. as their research librarian. She decided to go back to college and earned her Master of Library Science at Indiana University, the year she turned 60. During retirement, she enjoyed attending programs at the Kennebec Historical Society, working at the election polls, and attending a variety of cultural events in Maine and Florida. She shared her love of ice cream, reading, art, and music with her family.

She was predeceased by her parents and husband, Jerry Maschino.

Mary is survived by her three children - Sara Maschino of Gardiner, Maine, Anna Bragdon (Tarren) of Ave Maria, Florida, and Karl Maschino (Anne) of Fairfax, Virginia; eight grandchildren - Isabelle and Sebastian Jadik (Deanna); Wyatt, Waverly, Asher, and Jude Bragdon, and Hannah and Ryan Maschino; one great grandchild – Oella May (Sebastian); and many friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Friday, October 16, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery in Gardiner. A celebration of Mary’s life will follow from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staple Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, www.staplesfuneralhome.com

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a gift in Mary’s name to the Gardiner Public Library, https://gardinerpubliclibrary.org/support/ or the Kennebec Historical Society, https://www.kennebechistorical.org/ or a charity of your choice.