ROCKLAND — Mary Theresa Bremner Ellis died peacefully Jan. 27, 2013, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 26, 1926, she was the daughter of Percival and Cecelia Ahearn Bremner. She was educated at Holy Rosary Parish Convent and St. Stephens Cathedral for Girls.

During World War II, she met her future husband, George W. Ellis, while attending a dance at City Hall in Brisbane. Following the war, she traveled to the United States, where the couple married in Rockland and raised their six children.

As well as being a devoted mother, ahe worked for many years as a remedial at the old South School in Rockland. One of her greatest loves was teaching children to read. She would often be stopped by former students who thanked her for helping them get through school.

She gained a great deal of pleasure spending time with her grandchildren and her dear friends. On two occasions Mary was able to return to Brisbane to visit her Australian family, which included many nieces and nephews, as well as her three first cousins, Helen, Ray and Doreen. During her return home, her sister Joan and her family took Mary back to the family farm, Lawn Hills in Rosevale, where they spent many happy holidays.

Predeceased by her husband of 63 years, George, Nov. 22, 2012; and her four sisters, Kathleen, Jean, Eileen and Joan; Mary is survived by six children and their spouses, Brett M. Ellis, Gregory and Margit Ellis, Kathleen Norton, Charles and Gabriel Ellis, Maureen Ellis and Ted Tinson, and Anne and Robert O'Hara; nine grandchildren, Ryan Kelly, Erika and Aaron Norton, Ian and Leah Ellis, Olivia and Hilary O'Hara, and Annika and Mia Tinson;

Mary's family would like to give special thanks to Rockland emergency medical technicians, the emergency room staff and Drs. Moffatt, Chandler and Hamill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Meals-on-Wheels, Making Community Happen, 36 Summer St., Rockland, ME 04841 or Rockland District Nursing, P.O. Box 1713, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or story with Mary's family, visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Private family arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.