Mary Anita French, 82, of Somerville, Maine, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 18, 2025 where she was currently residing at Cove's Edge in Damariscotta, ME.
Born on September 8, 1943, in Gardiner, Maine, to Marion (Kopishke) Lothridge and Daniel Heald Sr., Mary lived a life centered on family, faith, and community.
She married her loving and devoted husband, Merle Leroy French, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage before his passing just two and a half months ago. Together, they built a home founded on shared values and hard work in Somerville, raising eight children and watching their family grow to include more than 40 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In her younger years, Mary enjoyed dancing, took part in a blind bowlers league, and taught herself to crochet. With quiet dedication, she made sure every one of her children and grandchildren had a handmade blanket—gifts stitched with love that would be treasured for years.
Mary was a faithful member of South Somerville Baptist Church, where she was active for years in the women’s Dorcas group. She gave her time and her hands generously, known especially for her delicious yeast rolls, which became a much-anticipated staple at every Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser supper. Her life was one of quiet strength and care for others, touching countless lives with her earnest dedication and service to family and community.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Merle, and her mother, Marion Lothridge, father, Daniel Heald Sr., her brothers Arthur, Danny and Henry Heald; her grandson Robert Bowden; and her great-grandson Nick Poulin. Mary is survived by her children:
● Joan Petit and her husband Scott Petit of Windsor, ME
● Tina Gray and her husband Peter Gray of Windsor, ME
● Donnie Durgin of Richmond, ME
● Donna Tobey and her husband Warren Tobey of Lemon Grove, CA
● Carlene Keithan of Augusta, ME
● Keith Durgin and his wife Mary Durgin of Somerville, ME
● Jennifer Kroesser and her husband Keith Kroesser of Richmond, ME
● Heather French and her wife Angela Dobbins of San Jose, CA
Mary was a grandmother and great-grandmother to a large and loving family:
● Stephanie Poulin and her husband Dan of Lewiston, ME and their children Eska, Dakota, and Keanan
● Megan Pushard and her wife Alycia of CT
● Allison Spurr and her husband Casey of Newington, CT
● Sean Broderick and his partner Taylor Gray of Lawrenceburg, TN
● Peter Gray Jr. and his wife Shelby of Rockland, ME and their children Alden and his wife Kaylynn, Brandon, Brady, and Jacoby
● Tanya Gray of Windsor, ME and her daughter Alyssa
● Amber Keithan of Augusta, ME
● Cassie Nsubuga and her husband John, and their children Zoey and Joseph of Ashburnham, MA
● Melody Coulter and family
● Isaac Tobey and his wife Jasmine, and their daughters Isabella and Julia of Lemon Grove, CA
● Keith Durgin Jr. and his wife Carly of AL, and his children Aidan, Aurora, Carter, Chase, and Issabelle of Jefferson, ME
● Anita Durgin and her partner Cory Child, and their children Kaelyn and Beckham of Hallowell, ME
● Devan Lemar and his partner Stacy Winegardner, and their daughter Vada of Richmond, ME
● Cassie Kroesser and her children Kaylie, Kendall, and Liam of Sabattus, ME
● Sydney Choate-Oliveira and her husband Carlo Oliveira of Bridgton, ME
● Sierra Kroesser of Bowdoinham, ME and her children Hailyn and Owen
● Koleman Kroesser of Richmond, ME
● Espy French of San Jose, CA
Mary will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, church family, and friends. A memorial service to honor Mary’s life will be held at South Somerville Baptist Church, 8 Hewett Road, Somerville, ME on Saturday, October 25th at 11am. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service. That same afternoon at 2pm, Mary and Merle will be interned together at the Sand Hill Cemetery in Somerville, ME.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in Mary's honor to the South Somerville Baptist Church or to the Maine Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired:
https://rsa.ed.gov/.../maine-division-blind-and-visually...
The family finds comfort in knowing that Mary and Merle are reunited, their love continuing beyond this life.