Mary C. Pickering
April 17, 1923 ~ August 1, 2015
Portland-Mary C. Pickering, 92, of Virginia Street, died Saturday, August 1, 2015, at her home. She was born in Portland on April 17, 1923, a daughter of Edward C. and Elizabeth A. (Carter) Harrigan. She attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School, class of 1941. Mary married Frederick A. Pickering Jr. on January 26, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Portland, and began her lifelong vocation as a homemaker. She loved telling stories about growing up on Portlands west end during the depression. She is remembered for her generosity, irreverent sense of humor, and inability to sit when she could be dancing. Mary loved the Boston Red Sox and never missed an opportunity to watch a game. She enjoyed beano at St. Pius X Church where she played for over thirty years and attending the annual Maine Country Music Hall of Fame to see her good friend Betty Gribbon perform. She also enjoyed playing slot machines, horse racing, lottery tickets, and garage sales. She was entertained by politics and always voted. Her greatest joy in life was entertaining and having fun with her large Irish family. She was a communicant of St. Pius X Church and former communicant of Sacred Heart Church and St. Patricks Church. She is predeceased by her husband; two sons, Edward S. Pickering and Frederick A. Pickering III; four sisters, Margaret Hartley, Frances Dorion, Bernice Turner, and Dolly Sturgeon; and a grandson, Paul E. Martin. She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth Huntley and husband Kenny of Portland, Cathy Nally of Portland, and Carol Duncanson of Westbrook; two sons, Joseph G. Pickering and wife Wanda of South Portland and Daniel E. Pickering and wife Anne of Portland; a brother, William Harrigan of Portland; two sisters, Lorraine Cutter of Westbrook and Betty Hines of Portland; sixteen grandchildren, Eric Wendel, Billie J. Huntley, Nancy Nadeau and husband Brad, Annie Poplaski and husband Mark, Mary Craig and husband Tony, Deanna Ryan and husband Scott, Frederick Pickering IV and wife Lindsey, Katie Soods and husband Jeevs, Emily Pickering, Austin Pickering and wife Kristen, Eliot Pickering, Olivia Pickering, Jennifer Patterson and husband Joshua, Daniel Pickering, and Artie, Andrew, and Aaron Duncanson; seventeen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family extends a special thanks to special angels Kenny Huntley, David Olson, and Hospice of Southern Maine for their wonderful care. Visiting hours will be today, 4:00 7:00 pm, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 am, Tuesday, at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To view Marys memorial page and share online condolences, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Suite #1, Scarborough, Me 04074.
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I remember the first time I met your mom and her wonderful family. Thanksgiving dinner before Tony and Mary’s wedding. Your mom and Fred were bantering back and forth and I never laughed so much in my life. What a great day! Thank you Pickering’s for making me feel comfortable and part of your family. The last time I saw her was 2 years ago at a graduation party for a nice young man going into the service. I loved sitting there talking with her. I love your family. So I while I am sorry for your loss, please take comfort in knowing she is with our heavenly father and family who were waiting for her. Peace be with you all. With Love, Bunny
– Bunny Craig Vavrina
Cathy, Betty, Nancy and Annie, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am so very sorry. With love, Noreen
– Noreen
Carol, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. Thinking of you and your family in this difficult time.
– Patty Anania Beattie
To Joe, Wanda, and the entire Pickering family, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
– Jim Sanville
Joe , remembering all the times I spent at your house when we were kids.God bless your mom and all of your family. Q
– Bob ouellette. Q
To the entire Pickering family, we are so sorry to hear of your mother/grandmother’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
– Sue Shuman-Collins, Gary Collins and Noah Collins
My thoughts are with you all in this time of loss. I loved your mom and know that she is sharing in the eternal glory of God. I can just imagine the reunion she is enjoying with the other members of your family. Heaven is rejoicing. My heart is sending you all love. Ginger
– Ginger Johnson
To Carol and familyMay memories of your mother and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead. We wish you peace to bring comfort and courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.”I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”–Leo Buscaglia
– Cathy and Tom Drouin
To Carol and familyMay memories of your mother and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead. We wish you peace to bring comfort and courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.”I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”–Leo Buscaglia
– Cathy and Tom Drouin
To Carol and familyMay memories of your mother and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead. We wish you peace to bring comfort and courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.”I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”–Leo Buscaglia
– Cathy and Tom Drouin
So sorry to read that your lovely MOTHER has passed away.
– Ada Mathews
Cathy, Nancy and family,We are thinking of you and sending all our love to you after the loss of Mary. Reading this thoughtful and warm tribute to Mary, I love learning about her sense of humor and love of the Red Sox and dancing. I am imagining she and my dad may have already found one another up in heaven, cursing in front of the Sox game every night. Much love to you,Tara, Ben and Stella
– Tara, Ben and Stella Rubin
Heaven now has another angel. Aunt Mary was a very special person with kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humor. She always had a good joke to tell or would have a funny story to tell. You will be missed by many but am pleased you are now without suffering and with all your family in Heaven. My Mom must have greeted you with open arms.
– Geralyn Sturgeon
Joe,We are sorry to see the passing of your Mother,We will be thinking of you ,and your Family.
– Tony & Ellen Profenno
Betty, Cathy, Carol, Joey, and Danny so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Mary was a special lady loved by all who had the honor of knowing her. So many memories of good times with your family over the years. Heaven must be throwing quite the party, so many souls welcoming her home. Love Carol & Steve
– Carol Amero
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mary was my second mother growing up, she loved people and had a great sense of humor no matter what the situation. there were times growing when Mary would have half the neighborhood kids show up for supper and she would feed us all, take the time to talk to each one of us enjoying every minute. Mary was respected and loved by everyone who ever had the privilege of knowing her .
– Michael & Dian Joyce
Dear Carol and family, My heart is heavy upon learning of the passing of your beloved mother. I had no idea she had passed and feel awful about missing the wake and funeral. She was an amazing woman who certainly had a great zest for life and I know she will be missed. Please take care of each other during this time of mourning and let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you. Sending my love and hugs for peace and healing.
– Kathleen Duncanson Heseltine