Mary A. Houghton

GREENSBORO BEND - Mary Alice (Polk) Houghton, 87, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at Copley Hospital in Morrisville. Born on Dec. 15, 1923, in Boca Grande, Fla., she was the daughter of William and Matilda (Kersey) Polk. She met Paul Houghton in 1947, and they were married on April 15, 1948. They had been married 62 years at the time of his passing on Aug. 15, 2010.

Mary and Paul moved from Boca Grande to Littleton, N.H., and then settled in Montpelier in 1952. She lived there until October 2010, when she moved to Greensboro Bend to live with her daughter, Jean. Over the years Mary worked outside the home from time to time, but she was primarily a mother and grandmother to her large family. Her son David was born in Boca Grande. Daughter Jean Ann and son Paul Jr. were born in central Vermont. She and her husband also lovingly raised their two nephews, Norman and Michael Scolaro.

Mary was a lifetime member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary. She and Paul enjoyed socializing and spent many hours playing cards and partying with friends. Mary was an easy-going woman with a pleasant disposition. She was never known to complain, even as her health diminished over the past few years.

Mary is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Millard, of Homestead, Fla., and Gloria Conte, of Hemet, Calif.; one brother, Darrell Polk, and his wife, Margaret, of Boca Grande, Fla.; and her five children: David Polk and his partner, Sandra Davis, of Defuniak Springs, Fla., Jean Ann and Fred DeMag, of Greensboro Bend, Paul Houghton Jr., of Barre, Norman and Diane Scolaro, of East Calais, and Michael and Diane Scolaro, of Montpelier. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. A great-great-grandson is due in September. In addition to her husband, Mary is predeceased by three sisters: Pansy, Betty and Billie Jean.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday evening, Aug. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Guare & Sons Funeral Home, 30 School St. in Montpelier. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Berlin Corners Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Woodridge Nursing Home Activities Department, P.O. Box 550, Barre, VT 05641. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.