WATERFORD — Mary Ann was born in Queens, N.Y., on March 3, 1947, to Eddie and Mary Parente. Despite his sometimes macabre trickery and pranks, she was the sister that her older brother Edward had specifically requested his parents produce. After growing up with her cousins and family next door, she attended Hunter College in Manhattan for English literature. While studying in the city, she met a handsome and hard-working young man named Raymond, who quickly fell in love with her easy demeanor and Audrey Hepburn-esque looks and style.

After marrying, the two left the city and bought a small farmhouse in Canaan, N.Y., and began the continuous, but gratifying process of fixing and updating a 200-year-old building and farm. It was there that Mary Ann raised and cared for several pets, many animals, large vegetable and ornamental gardens, and two boys.

In the winter of 1996, Mary Ann and Ray bought a wooded lot in Waterford and began building a new home looking out over a picturesque and peaceful Bog Pond. While her days of caring for an old farm were over, the chickens, dogs, and gardening continued uninterrupted in Maine.

Although it may have been a contributing factor to her hair turning gray, she was the envy of her friends when both of her sons moved in just down the road and within walking distance. When her boys had children of their own, she transformed into Mémère and helped raise and care for three grandchildren by providing unconditional love, regular affection, occasional admonishment, plentiful hugs, and an endless amount of elaborate, homemade desserts.

Mary Ann passed unexpectedly in her home on November 4 and leaves behind her heartbroken husband Ray, loving boys Lars and Colin, daughter-in-law Brie, beautiful and thoughtful grandchildren Carson, Charlotte, and Dylan, two rambunctious dogs, and a flock of chickens.

There are no services planned at this time.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com