Mary E. Bronder

Mary E. "Maureen" Bronder, 72, of Sanford died peacefully in her sleep at her home with her family at her side after a lengthy battle with cancer.Maureen was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on June 29, 1937 to John and Mary Moriarty Powers and attended local schools. She graduated from St. Mary Star of the Sea High School in 1955. In 1960, she married Richard Bronder and together they raised five children.Maureen was a very dedicated mother, who always put her family's needs first. She stayed home and raised her family until her children graduated from high school. After her children were grown she went to work at Crafts and More in Sanford where she made many friends. She enjoyed making crafts at home with her grandchildren and also making crafts for craft fairs. She loved working in her gardens and shared that love with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed going for long walks during all times of the year. She especially enjoyed walking on the beach. Family time was very important to her and she especially enjoyed family Sunday dinners. She also liked spending time at Estes Lake where she had many friends and many happy memories and where her life in Maine started. Maureen also loved to travel and in 2006 took a dream trip with her husband, driving across the continent to Alaska and then to North Dakota for a family reunion. Maureen will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Maureen was a communicant of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish. Maureen was predeceased by her husband, Richard Bronder Sr. and a daughter, Katie Bronder.Surviving are four children, Richard J. Bronder Jr. and his wife Terri of North Berwick, their children; Christie, Lauren and Peter, Kerry Ames of Sanford, her children; Erinn, Billy and Jonathan, Kristen Plante and her husband Dave of Sanford, their children; Colby, Morgan, Matthew, Jeremy and Briana. Kim Small and her husband Andrew of Sanford, their children; Cameron and Matthew. And also a great-granddaughter, Emma Richie.The family would like to thank Sue Elie and all of the other staff members at Hospice of Southern Maine. Everyone showed our mother and our entire family such warmth and compassion. We will be forever grateful. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church located on North Avenue in Sanford.Arrangements are under the direction of Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.