Obituary of Mary Alice Deming

Mary Alice Milner Deming, 99, of Manchester, ME, passed away on September 13, 2023. She was born on December 19, 1923, in Rochdale, MA.

Mary was an engaging personality, imaginative, generous, and with a deep capacity for love. She had a multitude of interests and talents, including playwriting, painting, genealogy, and 4-H. A favorite family story concerns the time when on her beloved Sebago Lake she kayaked with a new artificial hip. (Her orthopedist had a photo of her in her kayak on his wall so as to advertise his skills.)

Always a lover of music, she sang in church choirs and choruses and played various instruments such as the cello, accordion, and the piano. From Brahms to the "Chiquita Banana" song, Mary’s tastes ranged widely.

During the Depression, Mary worked at Sterling Health Camp where she played a vital role in nourishing underprivileged children suffering from tuberculosis. She fondly recounted the moments she spent distributing milkshakes and peanut butter sandwiches before the children's bedtime.

 

Mary taught grade school at King Street School in Danbury. One of her plays was a version of “James and the Giant Peach” acted out by her 3^rd graders (including Meg Ryan in one of her earliest roles). When they wrote to Roald Dahl he wrote back saying he’d never seen youngsters appreciate the characters in his book so well.

 

Mary went on to teach Home Economics at Rogers Park Jr. High for a full career, retiring in 1984. She closed her teaching with a grand flourish: a year in Widnes, a small town outside Liverpool, England. Her travels also took her across the United States, and to Japan to witness her daughter’s wedding.

Mary was a member of the First Congregational Church in Danbury and Brookfield Congregational Church. In Maine she attended North Manchester Meeting House Church and East Winthrop Baptist Church with her daughter. Her unwavering faith provided her with strength and comfort throughout her life.

 

Mary leaves behind a loving family who cherish her memory. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Betsy Deming Kobayashi and Naoto Kobayashi, Dave Deming and Erica Eisdorfer, Larry and Helen Deming, Chris and Ellen Deming, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bob Deming and brothers Gordon Milner, Raymond Milner, Louis Milner and sister Janet Milner Steeves.

 

Many, many thanks to The Balsam House and MaineGeneral Hospice for their expert and dear loving care.

 

Services will be held

October 9 3:00 pm East Winthrop Baptist Church E. Winthrop, ME

October 15 2:00 pm Brookfield Congregational Church, Brookfield, CT

Sometime in the summer 2024 Frye Island

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary's honor to organizations she held dear to her heart:

Pineland Suzuki School, PO Box 604, Manchester, ME 04351 or

Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.