Mary Elizabeth Steele

Mary Elizabeth Steele, passed away peacefully in her home in Sandown, NH on Sunday morning February 9 with her wife Alison, and her sister in law Ellen, by her side. She had many visits with family and friends during her end of life. She was 72 years old.

Mary was born on May 26, 1952 in Cambridge, MA. She grew up in Reading MA and attended St Agnes Elementary School and Reading Memorial High School. She was predeceased by her parents Robert Steele and Catherine (Reardon) Steele. She was one of six children.

Mary traveled after high school, driving cross country to California where she lived for several years before returning to her home state

Mary completed a 720 hour course at the Wentworth Institute for electromechanical technology in the 80’s. Displaying that type of aptitude, she was encouraged to take the postal exam by her Uncle Jim and that eventually led Mary to the United States Postal Service. Mary found employment as an Electronic technician, the first female ET in the Northeast Area. She remained there for over 25 years before retiring.

Mary’s job was to maintain the extensive mail sorting equipment at the Middlesex-Essex Postal Facility, first in Woburn, then North Reading. This is where she met her future wife Alison Hartung when they began to work the same day shift. Alison was quite smitten and it took a lot of time and patience but perseverance eventually won out! They began officially seeing each other in 1999, Alison moved to Sandown in 2000 where they remained, legally marrying in NH when it became available to them.

As a couple they were yin and yang, Mary’s cup was half empty, Alison’s half full but they were suited to one another with Mary teaching Alison how to finally be an adult and Alison getting Mary gently out of her comfort zone on occasion. After enduring many of Alison’s over the top antics, Mary became the master of the ‘eyeroll’. She had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor which she did not spare when it came to her wife.

They tried to plan a ‘big trip’ every year or two. 8 trips to Key West, one of which allowed them to be a tour guide for Mary’s sister Judy. A four-day houseboat trip with many of Mary’s family on the Cumberland river in Tennessee. Trips to Vieques PR, Virgin Gorda, Beautiful Fall Creek Falls Tennessee for her niece Mattie’s wedding celebration, honeymoon in Scotland, many trips to Chatham and Martha’s Vineyard, and a trip to the grand circle of parks in Utah; Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary where they took the tour and then volunteered in Dogtown for a day. This was an organization that Mary supported for 20 years.

As they got older, they were content to stay closer to home and enjoy their simple lives. Their multitude of dogs and cats over the years brought them great joys and in later years, great comfort. The last few years were difficult for Mary as she endured several overlapping health issues, but always showed great resilience, bouncing back over and over again. We knew she would eventually run out of steam, and she did, but on her terms. She was still very much her own person and she made her final decisions with her wife’s blessings.

Mary is survived by her wife Alison who is proud to have finally been Mary’s choice. She is also survived by her sisters Susan Steele of Jamaica Plain, Catherine Steele and Dave McMurray of Hartsville TN, Judy Meelia of Jamaica Plain, Nancy Paulding and Bob Paulding of West Yarmouth . Mary was predeceased by her brother Robert. Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Gabriel, his wife Alex, children Kali and Sky; Mattie, husband Martin and children Lila and Claire; Chris and children Brinly, Cam, and Brielle; Kerri, her partner Manuel and children Ela and Nayu; Kaitlin, wife Jeanine and children Orin and Juno; Ben; Brian, wife Cayla. She was also survived by many friends, especially Beth Childs and Mary Chinetti who have been an immense unwavering support for both Mary and Alison, and they continue to be. And we have a great deal of gratitude for Tammy and Jeff and the rest of our wonderful neighbors who all have ‘been on call’.

Last but not least, Mary is survived by her devoted little dog Emmy who made Mary ‘her person’ from the first time she was put on Mary’s lap and that’s where you could find her most days. She kept vigil at Mary’s side throughout the end and stayed with her until Mary was taken for her final arrangements.

Mary will be missed, she will be mourned, she will be celebrated, but most of all she will be remembered and loved unconditionally.

Visitation will be at McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, MA on Monday Feb 17 from 2-5PM. Guests are encouraged to wear brightly colored clothes, especially purple. Interment will be private at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name can be made to your local SPCA or animal shelters, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, www.bestfriends.org, The Alzheimer’s association at act.alz.org, National Mental Health Alliance at www.nami.org or simply be kind to one another.