Mary M. Waananen
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Mrs. Mary M. Waananen, formerly of Pittsfield, MA, passed away in Wilmington, NC on August 23, 2022, just weeks after celebrating her 90th birthday. Born in Cambridge, NY, on August 6, 1932, the daughter of the late William and Eugenia Smith Morrison, she graduated from the Salem Washington Academy in NY, with the class of 1949.
Mary's family was of utmost importance to her. Mary took pride in seeing that each of their needs were met with love, support, and guidance, and nothing made her more fulfilled.
Among many things, she enjoyed arts and crafts, bowling, and of course golf! Before moving to North Carolina to be cared for by her daughter, Lisa, Mary was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Lenox. At church, she served as an officer of the United Methodist Women, participated in member visitation, group card writing, and as a church school teacher. She was also a Red Cross volunteer.
Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband of 61 years, Lauri "Larry" Waananen, whom she married on September 19, 1953. Larry passed away on April 25, 2014. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Rosalind, Ruth, Robert, and Richard.
She is survived by her children, Laurel Slate (George), Dale Waananen (Doreen), Neal Waananen (JoAnn Amato) and Lisa LaVigne (Phillip). Mary leaves behind her grandchildren, Victoria, Michael (Caitlyn), Erik, Rebeccah, Kyle, Ryan, and Audrey; her sister-in-law, Marge, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Notice:
Memorial services for Mrs. Mary M. Waananen will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Lenox, 6 Holmes Road. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or the Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 109, New York, NY 10018. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.