Mary M. Beaulier

ASHLAND - Mary M. (Theriault) Beaulier, 93, peaceably went to be with her Lord early Wednesday morning, April 20, 2011, at a Houlton hospital. She was born March 11, 1918, in Ashland, the daughter of William and Olive (Carney) Theriault. Mary's mother died when she was an infant and she was lovingly accepted into the home of Frank and Darimene (Belanger) Berube. She was a member of Saint Mark's Catholic Church, Ashland, and was a resident of Ashland all her life. She was predeceased by her husband, Wilfred J. Beaulier, Sept. 8, 1986. They did have the wonderful opportunity to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in December, just months before his death. Mary and her husband farmed together for many years. She would cut all his seed by hand and ride the planter whenever Wilfred needed her. Wilfred was also relieved when Mary would agree to drive truck during harvest. He trusted she would "take it easy" on his truck and therefore not have to worry about breaking down during this busy time of year. Mary's take off technique wasn't very smooth, consequently, the person trying to roll the barrel en route, on the back of the truck body, would really have to know how to brace his feet! One fall during harvest break, a young high school student named Peter Paradis received extra practice, but always with a smile on his face. Mary would leave very early in the morning in the green rambler station wagon to pick up the school children in Portage who helped bring in the fall harvest. Those wonderful, hard-working students nicknamed their transportation "the green submarine." This was one of many songs they sang while Mary was trying to keep the car on the road! Mary also worked for Taterstate beginning in 1959 and retired from McCains in 1980. She enjoyed her work and the opportunity to meet many new friends. One of Mary's favorite things to do was pick wild strawberries that grew on their farm. She would place her straw hat on her head and walk through the field road to get to her "special" spot. In quiet solitude she would spend hours soaking in the sunshine, diligently filling her large bowl. Occasionally she would stop long enough to pull her harmonica from her pocket to play a tune, just in case there might be a curious bear peering from a distance. Mom, we will miss you very much, but we rejoice with you as you experience joy unspeakable. Mary is survived by two daughters, Ann J. Sutherland and her husband, Jim, of Laguna Beach, Calif., and Linda M. Palmer and her husband, Donald, of Ashland; four granddaughters, Laurie, Connie, Pamela and Amy; two grandsons, Gary and Travis; four great-granddaughters, Julia Rose, Molly Amber, Grace Leslie and Ada May; and three great-grandsons, Jack Palmer, Logan Clark and Nathan Joseph. In addition to her husband, Mary was predeceased by six sisters, Rose M. Thibodeau, Rosanna LeFrance, Isabelle Dumais, Elsie Morin, Oztie Theriault and Cecile Cloukey. The family thanks everyone at Madigan Estates for the care that was given during the last year of her life. There will be no calling hours or formal ceremony. The family will be honoring her life later this spring with a graveside celebration with individual scripture readings and releasing balloons to symbolize her departure from Earth to begin her new life in heaven. Donations in her memory may be made to Catholic Charities Maine, 14 Old Van Buren Road, P.O. Box 748, Caribou, ME 04736. Arrangements are a service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.