Mary Therese Allen

BRIDGTON, Maine Mary Therese (Abbott) Allen, 56, of Bridgton, died surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 27, 2005 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Troy on May 12, 1949, the daughter of Edward (Ned) and Therese (Pickett) Abbott. She attended Troy schools and graduated from Troy High School, Vermont College and attended North Adams State. Mary had been employed by the Cool Moose and at Shawnee Peak Ski Area for 18 years as an office manager and marketing corresponder. She was in charge of all special events. Mary founded the annual Firemen's Race for a Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She also started Story Book Day, a very popular children's event. She organized many other successful events and was loved by all. Mary also organized the Bridgton Chapter of the Red Hat Society and was the Queen Mother. She loved hunting, fishing, boating, bocce ball, painting, gardening, her faith, being Nana, making people smile and especially loved to play practical jokes. Mary Therese is survived by her parents of Clifton Park and Naples, Fla.; her husband, Wayne K. Allen of Bridgton; a daughter, Christine Soutter Suau and her husband James of Boston, Mass.; two sons, First Lieutenant David C. Soutter of Ft. Irwin, Calif. and Ryan C. Soutter of Boston, Mass.; a grandson, Colin A. Suau; two brothers, Edward W. Abbott Jr. of Lanesboro, Mass. and James D. Abbott and his wife Nicki (Lombard) Abbott of Cranston, R.I.; two sisters, Rosemary Abbott Fagan and her husband William F. Fagan of Troy and Mary Grace (Abbott) Luibrand and her husband Kevin A. Luibrand of Clifton Park; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on October 30 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bridgton, Maine with burial in Middle Ridge Cemetery, Bridgton. Those who wish to make a contribution in Mary's memory may do so to the Firemen's Race for the Cure, c/o Norway Savings Bank, P.O. Box 200, Bridgton, ME 04009.