Geneva Mary Bragdon McGary

    McGary, Geneva M., 93, December 20, 2010.  Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton.
    SMYRNA – Geneva Mary Bragdon McGary, 93, passed away Dec. 20, 2010, in Houlton. She was born March 4, 1917, in Hersey, the daughter of H. Miles and Marie Arvilla (Shaw) Bradgon. Her maternal grandparents were LaBarron and Elmira (Collins) Shaw; and paternal grandparents were James Edward and Frances K. (Nickerson) Bragdon.
    She attended Sherman schools through the eighth grade and graduated from Merrill High School in 1934. She was unable to attend her graduation because she had her appendix removed on that day in Houlton by Dr. Frank Tarbel.
    On Sept. 15, 1934, Geneva married Kermit Roy McGary of Smyrna, a potato and dairy farmer.
    She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Rebekah’s, RSVP and Oakfield Grange No. 414, where she was a life member and treasurer, serving 60 years. She was a 4-H leader of the Juniorettes Club for seven years, having a Blue Ribbon Club all seven years. She was a trip coordinator, organizing and accompanying group tours to Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Cape Cod, Mass., Prince Edward Island and others. She was a life member of Friends and Needles Quilting Guild. She enjoyed sewing clothes, quilting, crafts, etc., making at least 50 quilts, probably more. She also made many vests for the Oakfield School Band. Her passions were her family and sewing.
    She always said that her father was the best man that ever walked on the face of the earth. She had many stories from throughout the years, too many to tell here; but one is about a five-pound trout that she caught off the wharf at Matagamon Lake when she was 12 years old. While very proud of her catch, it was ironic that she didn’t like fish!
    She is survived by five children, Danny McGary and wife, Dee Ann, of Oregon, Wis., Paul McGary of Smyrna, Patricia McGary Jones and husband, Trueman Jones Jr., of New Limerick, Pamela McGary and husband, Ron Dennis, of Stacyville and Kermit McGary and wife, Amber, of Smyrna; six grandchildren, William Jones and wife, Michelle, of Gray, Shelly Jones Clark and husband, Alan Clark, of Portland, Sabrina McGary, Ph.D., and husband, Steve Rock, of Dover, Del., Ryan McGary, L.L.D., and wife, Stephanie Walters, M.D., of St. Louis Park, Minn., Stephanie McGary Trembley and husband, Philip, of Cohasset, Mass., and Evan McGary of Calais; and three great-granddaughters, Elliot McGary-Walters and Sydney McGary-Walters of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Bailey McGary Rock of Dover, Del. Geneva also has a brother-in-law, Lawrence McGary Jr. and his wife, Rita, of Reno, Nev.; a sister-in-law, Jeanette McGary MacKenzie of Old Town; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
    She was predeceased by her husband, Kermit Roy McGary, May 24, 1974; her parents, H. Miles Bragdon and Marie Shaw Bragdon; and her two brothers, Basil Bragdon and Harris Bragdon.
    Friends called 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water St., Houlton, where funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to Southern Aroostook Community School Band, 922 Dyer Brook Road, Dyer Brook, ME 04747.