Mary Jane (Hoyt) Tapley Pierce, 90, died peacefully after a brief illness at her residence on March 8, 2016. She was born January 12, 1926, in Howland the daughter of Henry J. and Hazel (Blake) Hoyt.
Mary Jane graduated from the University of Maine in 1946, she taught English at Ellsworth High School until her marriage to Oliver L. Tapley, who predeceased her in 1974. She resumed her teaching career in 1966 and retired in 1987 after more than 20 years teaching in the Eddington and Holden schools. In 1976, she married David P. Pierce Sr., a retired educator. Mary Jane was a member of the Holden Congregational Church, U.C.C., for which she served as treasurer, choir director, moderator, and deacon. She was a member and Past Master of the Holden Grange #544, a member of the Maine Retired Teachers Association, and MEA/NEA. Mary Jane was very involved with the community of Holden and served on the Holden Historical Society and the Holden Cemetery Committee. As an educator Mary Jane had an insatiable desire for learning, enjoying many classes at Penobscot Valley Senior College and earning the designation of Philomath in 2005.
She is survived by a daughter, Carole Bemis and husband Leland of Holden; three sons, Brian Tapley of Bangor, Robert Tapley and wife Vicki of Glenburn, and William Tapley of Brewer; stepson, David Pierce Jr. and his wife Pam of Brewer; six grandchildren, Brendon Bemis and wife Amanda of Newport, Scott Bemis and fiancé Maria of Sabattus, Kimberley Pierce and husband Dan Botwinick of California, Brian Pierce and wife Amy of Gray, Sarah Tapley of Gorham, Sonya Tapley of Bangor; six great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Braylee, Lindsay, Benjamin, Zoë and Nina. She was predeceased by her husband David P. Pierce Sr. in 1992, and a stepson Edward Pierce.
Friends are welcome to gather with the family from 5-7 PM, Friday, March 11, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, March 12, at the Holden Congregational Church, U.C.C., 9 Rider Bluff, Holden, with Pastor Linette George, presiding. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the fellowship hall following the service. Interment will be in the spring at Harts Corner Cemetery, Holden. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Holden Congregational Church, P. O. Box 309, Holden, ME 04429. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www. BrookingsSmith.com.
Mary Jane graduated from the University of Maine in 1946, she taught English at Ellsworth High School until her marriage to Oliver L. Tapley, who predeceased her in 1974. She resumed her teaching career in 1966 and retired in 1987 after more than 20 years teaching in the Eddington and Holden schools. In 1976, she married David P. Pierce Sr., a retired educator. Mary Jane was a member of the Holden Congregational Church, U.C.C., for which she served as treasurer, choir director, moderator, and deacon. She was a member and Past Master of the Holden Grange #544, a member of the Maine Retired Teachers Association, and MEA/NEA. Mary Jane was very involved with the community of Holden and served on the Holden Historical Society and the Holden Cemetery Committee. As an educator Mary Jane had an insatiable desire for learning, enjoying many classes at Penobscot Valley Senior College and earning the designation of Philomath in 2005.
She is survived by a daughter, Carole Bemis and husband Leland of Holden; three sons, Brian Tapley of Bangor, Robert Tapley and wife Vicki of Glenburn, and William Tapley of Brewer; stepson, David Pierce Jr. and his wife Pam of Brewer; six grandchildren, Brendon Bemis and wife Amanda of Newport, Scott Bemis and fiancé Maria of Sabattus, Kimberley Pierce and husband Dan Botwinick of California, Brian Pierce and wife Amy of Gray, Sarah Tapley of Gorham, Sonya Tapley of Bangor; six great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Braylee, Lindsay, Benjamin, Zoë and Nina. She was predeceased by her husband David P. Pierce Sr. in 1992, and a stepson Edward Pierce.
Friends are welcome to gather with the family from 5-7 PM, Friday, March 11, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, March 12, at the Holden Congregational Church, U.C.C., 9 Rider Bluff, Holden, with Pastor Linette George, presiding. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the fellowship hall following the service. Interment will be in the spring at Harts Corner Cemetery, Holden. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Holden Congregational Church, P. O. Box 309, Holden, ME 04429. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www. BrookingsSmith.com.
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