OWLS HEAD — Anne Judith Orosz Maher, 69, died peacefully Dec. 12, 2014, at her home surrounded by family. She was born Nov. 15, 1945, to Charles and Marguerite Orosz in Skowhegan. In 1961, the family moved to Rockland, and Anne graduated from Rockland District High School in 1964.

Just this past summer, Anne helped to organize their 50th reunion, where she reminisced with friends and classmates. She attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C., for two years, where she remembered marching in peaceful protest of the Vietnam War, to which she lost a college friend.

She married Francis H. Maher on Aug. 31, 1968, in Rockland. She and Frank had a son, Patrick, and three daughters, Jennifer, Susannah and Julia. She was a mom who made sure her children had everything they needed before they knew they needed it. She made birthday celebrations beyond special, and holidays to forever be remembered. From bumps to bruises, from recitals to sports, from Brownie troop leader to confidant—she was always there. And when her grandchildren arrived, she was there, too. She made sure that they felt secure and that there was plenty of Nana for everyone.

Anne founded and opened multiple businesses during her life, starting with the Ash Point Drive Preschool she started in the family home in 1984. Students got to hatch baby ducks and chickens and study and craft their favorite dinosaurs out of clay, among many other unique activities. Many of the local kids still refer to her as "Mrs. Anne," the name she used with her students.

In 1987, Anne founded The Brown Bag restaurant with three of her sisters, Barbara, Claire and Debra. Anne and her siblings grew up with a homemade touch that they shared with their freshly baked bread and family recipes, something that put them ahead of their time.

Anne next turned her attention to the Owls Head General Store in 1997, reopening it after it had been long closed, with support from her husband, Frank, and two of her friends, Alvin and Judy McNeilly. The store quickly became a community gathering spot, where fishermen and dockworkers liked to order their lunch and folks young and old enjoyed a hot chocolate after ice skating on the fire pond across the street in the winter.

In 2004, Anne initiated the first Christmas tree lighting in the village square, planting a live evergreen tree for the annual celebration. Villagers have fond memories of heading to her home following the ceremony for warm food and drinks. And just a few days ago, folks in town celebrated the 10th tree lighting, where they met Anne's request of "O Holy Night" beautifully.

In her retirement, she spent lots of time playing with her three grandchildren, Ryan, Trevor and Callum Steele, both in Maine and on Long Island. An avid gardener, she also joined the Owls Head Garden Club and she took great pride in the gardens surrounding her home. In recent years, she became more actively involved in the life and worship of the Owls Head Baptist Church, serving on the Flower Committee and volunteering her time for various events. Anne grew in peace and faith, and shared many joyful experiences with friends, family and the church community.

In many ways, Anne was a bridge. The oldest of 10 children, her sisters remember her bringing their family together both when they were children and when many of them had children of their own. At the center of an active and supportive group of friends and family, she was always the first to host a function to bring people together. She delighted in showing her love and care by feeding the folks around her. We know the warmth her hospitality and generosity inspired carries on.

In addition to her husband, Francis H. “Frank” Maher of Owls Head; and her mother, Marguerite A. Orosz of Manomet, Mass.; Anne is survived by one son, Patrick Charles Maher of San Diego, Calif.; three daughters, Susannah Maher of Brooklyn, N.Y., Dr. Julia Ruth Maher and her husband, Clovis Anjard, of Owls Head, and Dr. Jennifer Anne Steele and her husband, Gregory, of Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.; seven sisters, Barbara Fifield of Limerick, Claire Orosz of Warren, Deborah Orosz-Siebel and her husband, Rick Seibel, of Lincolnville, Elaine Paradise of Austin, Texas, Teresa Kelley and her husband, Andy, of Andover, Mass., Joan Simeone and her husband, Pete, of Byfield, Mass., and Marguerite Orosz and her companion, Mike Davies, of Fall River, Mass.; two brothers, Charles Orosz and his wife, Eileen, of Salisbury, Mass., and John Orosz and his wife, Mikita, of Florida; three grandchildren, Ryan Francis Steele, Trevor Raymond Steele and Callum Maher Steele; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Anne's life will be held Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 215 Limerock St. in Rockland. The Rev. Paul Munro will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute, c/o Contributions, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115 or the AIO Food Pantry, Area Interfaith Outreach, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.