Mary Davis Upton

UPTON Mary Davis Upton, age 64, of Bristol, R. I., a realtor for Coldwell Banker of Bristol, died on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at her home. Born in New York City the daughter of the late John Davis Upton and Kate Rennell Upton, she was raised in Greens Farms and had been a Bristol resident for the last 10 years. She attended Laycock Country Day School in Westport and graduated from Concord Academy in Concord, Mass. After attending Connecticut College, she began her career at the Harvard School of Law as a Secretary, then Registrar rising to the position of Dean of Students. She later held the positions of Dean of Admissions at Whittier School of Law in Los Angeles, American University School of Law, Washington, DC and Roger Williams School of Law, Bristol, R.I. She had worked in real estate in Rhode Island for the last several years. A great-great-great-granddaughter of the late P.T. Barnum, she had a vast interest in his storied life and maintained a large collection of Barnum memorabilia. She was a very active member of St. John‚s Episcopal Church in Barrington, R.I., where she served on the Vestry. Mary was an avid gardener and loved to read. She was also an active participant in her North Farm Condominium Association. Survivors include her sister, Elinor Upton Biggs and her husband, James, of Greens Farms; a niece, Elizabeth W.R. Biggs; and two nephews, Charles T.G. Biggs and Andrew C.P. Biggs. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 13 at 11 a.m. in St. John‚s Episcopal Church, Barrington, R.I. A private graveside service will be held in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John‚s Episcopal Church, 191 Country Road, Barrington, R.I. 02806 and the Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Arrangements entrusted to the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.