ROCKLAND - Mary Ruth Sawyer was welcomed into the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, September 13th, 2017. "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

The life she lived exemplified her faith in Christ and is a lasting example to all of us. Every day was filled with study, hard work, and loving care for her friends, family, and co-workers.
Mary was born in Rockland on October 23, 1928, to Merton R. Sawyer Sr. and Lura Everdene Harden Sawyer. She attended Rockland schools including the Highlands School and Rockland High School and was selected by her classmates as most ambitious, studious, and helpful. She was a member of the National Honor Society, graduating Valedictorian from Rockland High School in 1947.

Continuing her education, she graduated from Gorham State Teacher's College in Gorham, Maine, and taught in Gloucester, Massachusetts for 10 years, earning her Master's Degree while there, before returning home to Rockland in 1963 to care for her mother.

Upon her return, Mary continued teaching in Rockland for more than two decades as a beloved and respected member of the faculty. Thereafter, she taught at Pen Bay Christian School and provided guidance and training to numerous home-school students.

Throughout her life Mary's appreciation and love for birds and Monarch butterflies was shared through her passion and spirit with all who knew her. God allowed her to raise and release countless Monarchs over the years, even in the weeks leading up to her passing.

There were many wonderful qualities about Mary and one that should be pointed out is the fact that she cared for numerous elderly people who were nearing their last precious days. She loved them as if they were her own, a rare quality.
Mary was predeceased by her father and mother, her sister Elizabeth Oxton and her husband Philip, brother Merton Sawyer Jr. and his wife Norma, sister Margaret McLeod and her husband Russell, and brother Carl Sawyer.

She is survived by only one sibling, Ercell Robishaw and her husband Donald, along with her brother Carl's wife Flora, and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, great-grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces and a lifelong friend, Alice Vadaro.

We welcome and encourage all who knew Mary to attend a memorial service for her which will be held on Saturday, September 30th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at the Waldoboro Baptist Church, 1905 Atlantic Highway, Waldoboro. The service will begin at 1:00pm and will conclude with a fellowship time, ending at 4:00pm.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary's name to Pen Bay Christian School, One Waldo Avenue, Rockland, ME 04841 or Coastal Christian School, 574 North Nobleboro Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

To share a memory or story with Mary's family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.