Mary Madkour

Mary Elaine Bliss McGarey Madkour

1927-2013 BENNINGTON Mary Elaine Bliss McGarey Madkour, 85, a resident of Jefferson Heights, died Monday, January 7, 2013 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center following a long illness.

Born in Swanton, Vermont on April 12, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Robert P. Bliss Sr. and Edith (Tuscany) Bliss. A graduate of Swanton High School, Mary was very active in all school activities and was chosen as "Most popular all around student of the Class of 1945".

Mary married Walter A. McGarey in 1950 and they had five children, Pamela Jayne, Patricia Jean, David Allen, Michael James and Sarah Elizabeth. David died shortly after birth and Mr. McGarey died on August 11, 1964. In December, 1966 Mary married Joseph L. Madkour and they had a daughter, Carrie Bliss. Mr. Madkour died July 31, 2000.

Mary was very active in the community and gave of her time and self to many organizations. A long time member of the Second Congregational Church, she served as president of the Women's Fellowship, as a Deacon, and many times chaired the annual Sno-Ball Bazaar and the kitchen at the Antique Show.

Mary was a charter member and board member of the Vermont affiliate of the American Diabetes Association. She served for many years as a Gray Lady at Putnam Memorial Hospital/Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and as chairman of the canteen for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. She was a member of the Bennington Museum where she served on the board of trustees and as secretary of the executive board. She was a charter member of "The Double SS" Home Dem group and in 1961 while living in Red Oak, Iowa, Mary was chosen as the Chamber of Commerce Homemaker of the Year.

For many years Mary belonged to both the Bennington Garden Club and the Plain Dirt Gardeners where she had also served as president.

In earlier years she worked as a court recorder at both the District and Superior courthouses in Bennington. In later years Mary was active as a realtor at Hoisington Reality, Inc. where she was recognized as a Million Dollar Producer for several years. In 1992 after retiring from Hoisington Realty she served three terms in the Vermont State Legislature from 1992 until 1997. She was also actively involved with the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired where she served as a board member.

Her main interest and most important interest in her life was her family, home, friends. Mary will be remembered by many as someone who loved people and enjoyed helping others.

Survivors include four daughters and a son, Pamela J. Murphy of Las Vegas, Nevada and her daughter, McKenzie McNelis; Pat Klein of Oneonta, NY, her husband John and children Nicole Linn and Ashleigh Berard; Carrie B. Major of Rutland and her children Samuel and Maxwell Major; Sarah Bush of Fly Creek, NY, her husband Gary and son Christopher; and Michael J. McGarey of Bennington. Mary is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husbands and son, Mary was predeceased by a sister and brother, Barbara Counos and Robert P. Bliss Jr.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Memorial services celebrating the life of Mary Madkour will be held from the Second Congregational Church in Bennington at a time to be announced in the Spring.

Should friends desire memorial contributions in Mary Madkour's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Vermont Chapter -Alzheimer's Association through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.