DAMARISCOTTA — Mary Patricia Kernahan Buck, who worked as a social worker before marrying, raised 11 children and then returned to her career 28 years later, died Dec. 7, 2015, in Damariscotta. She was 91.

Mary Kernahan was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 10, 1924, the youngest of nine children. Her parents were Martin Kernahan and Elizabeth McNamara Kernahan, who was born in Knocknageeha, County Clare, Ireland. Martin Kernahan was trained as a draftsman and for a period during the 1920s was manager of Thomas Edison's West Orange, N.J., manufacturing plant.

She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1945, and pursued graduate studies at Fordham University in New York. She worked for a time for Catholic Charities in New Jersey. She married Thomas Francis Buck in 1947.

She is survived by each of their children and spouses: Mary Dempsey Lowry of Palmyra, Va., Kernahan and Jody Buck of Holliston, Mass., McNamara Buck and Michael Rome of Cambridge, Mass., Rinker Buck of Newcastle, Bridget Gallagher Buck and Ralph Moore of Rockland, Bryan Burns Buck and life partner Elizabeth Starr of Wiscasset, Cronin and David Sleeper of Pomfret, Vt., Nicholas McMahon Buck of Newcastle, Andrew Gagan Buck and Glenn Ronquillo of Somerville, Mass., Ferriss and Will Donham of Arlington, Mass., and Adrian Wall Buck of Woolwich. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mary’s husband had a career in publishing, and authored the 1967 book, But Daddy!, the story of raising a large family with his wife in New Vernon, N.J. The family was active in New Jersey politics. Mary and Thomas attended the inauguration of President Kennedy in 1961, and also attended the 1969 launch of Apollo 11, the first manned expedition to the moon. The family moved to Montrose, Pa., in 1970 and Thomas died in 1975. Mary then went to work for the Susquehanna County Assistance Office. She retired in 1985.

Mary resided in Bath from 1998 through 2013. She moved to Damariscotta in mid-2014. In Bath she volunteered at the Patten Free Library Bookstore for a number of years. She took courses at Senior College, was enrolled in art classes, exercise classes and writing groups. An avid reader on a wide variety of subjects, she was active in two book clubs in the Bath-Brunswick area. She frequently attended lectures and concerts at nearby Bowdoin College and participated in many peace walks and vigils. She took joy in walking and going to movies.

Among her many friends, remarks such as these abound: "A very beautiful and intelligent lady," "She had strong opinions and expressed them well;" “She will always be valued for her ‘wit, wisdom, her forward thinking and her loyalty.’"

Mary was a volunteer at the Bath Area Food Bank. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local food banks.

A Celebration of Thanksgiving for the Life of Mary Patricia Kernahan Buck will be offered Saturday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 11 Glidden St. in Newcastle. A reception will follow.

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