Obituary of Mary Kerrins Rogers

PORTLAND - Mary Kerrins Cavanaugh Rogers, 89, of Portland passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by Peter J. Rogers, her beloved husband of 67 years, and their eleven children; Katherine Wohlhuter and husband, Richard of Jacksonville, FL, Kerrin Dorne and husband, Robert of Newton, MA, Pamela Cormier of Bath, Peter J. Rogers, Jr. and, wife Anne of Washington, D.C., Patricia Ream and husband, Peter of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, Michael Rogers of Portland, Constance Bashian and husband, Richard of Truro, MA, Monica Sheehan and husband, John of Oak Park, IL, Kevin Rogers and wife, Ann Marie, Kristine Hodgkins and husband, Philip of Cumberland Center, and Gregory Rogers of Portland. She leaves 24 grandchildren; Charles and Mary Katherine Wohlhuter, Kristina, Wesley, Casey and Peyton Dorne, Anne and Andrew Cormier, Edward, Caroline, Alexander, Philip and Abigail Rogers, Constance, John and Hollister Ream, Brendan Rogers, Chloe and Paige Bashian, Pierce and Maeve Sheehan, Channing, Philip and Elizabeth Hodgkins. Mary leaves three great-grandchildren, Asia Bonny, Taveon and Destinee Karvonides. Mary also leaves behind her beloved siblings F. Ethel McMahon of Marlborough, Mass., Raymond Cavanaugh of Worcester, Mass., Matthew Cavanaugh of Dudley, Mass., Francis Cavanaugh of Naples, Fla., Madeline Horan of Shrewsbury, Mass., and Claire Cunningham of Worcester, Mass., along with many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Mary Ellen Kerrins and James Edward Cavanaugh and her aunt, Sister Mary Borromeo, sisters, Katherine Keller and Marjorie Beauregard and brothers, James Cavanaugh and Colonel Edward Cavanaugh. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Prime L. Cormier, the late husband of daughter Pamela. Mary was born on June 26, 1925 into a large Irish Catholic family in Worcester, Mass. She graduated from South High School, Worcester. After graduating from Framingham State Teachers College in 1947, Mary taught in the Oxford, Mass. school system. In 1948 she wed Peter J. Rogers whom she met while he was a student at College of The Holy Cross. They spent the first year of their marriage in Charlottesville, Va. Peter completed his third year of law school at the University of Virginia while Mary taught in the University's Reading Clinic. Upon his graduation, Peter and Mary settled in Portland. As her husband established his law practice, Mary raised their family. In 1960, they bought 45 acres of land in Portland and built a home for their growing family. The property, known as Camelot Farm, was also home to many animals over the years. Mary possessed a quiet dignity, elegance and grace and never had an unkind word for anyone. In the words of one of Mary's many sons-in-law, "No collection of superlatives could capture the kindness, courtesy and refinement of Mary." The family wishes to thank Dr. Philip Frederick, the Caregivers and the Hospice Team from the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) for their care. A Memorial Mass is planned for 12:00 noon on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at St. Joseph's Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland.