Mary Abrams

Welcome to Mary’s home! Imagine sitting in a comfortable kitchen…the smell of coffee brewing, cups and silverware on the table and a quick welcoming smile at the ready. Mary Ellen (Shanahan) Abrams, born Jan 2, 1931, passed on July 20, 2022, at the age of 91 yrs.to join her husband, Walter C. Abrams, to whom she had been married for 60 years. Mary and Walter began their life together in Brooklyn, New York where they were childhood sweethearts. They moved to raise their growing family to West Islip, NY before settling several years later with their five children, Marys’ parents, Susan and Arthur Shanahan and Sukie the dog, to Amherst, NH. Mary had many fond memories of her childhood growing up in a small home in Brooklyn, NY. She was proud of her mother who loved to garden and “put up” jars of food harvested from the tiny back yard “Victory” garden. Mary’s father worked for Western Union and contributed to early inventions of television and radio. Mary was the middle child. Her parents kept a watchful eye on their three children which included Arthur, the older brother and Margaret the younger sister. Mary was always interested in pleasing her parents and making friends at school. At age 7, Mary decided to do something different on a sunny school day in September of 1938. Mary thought that going to the park with her friend Helen would be better than going to school. All day they happily played until a police officer approached them and took them home to parents who were not so happy with the truant twosome! Mary leaves much love, care, words of wisdom, and quick wit to her five children, their spouses, her 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren There was never a problem or concern Mary wouldn’t patiently listen to from her children. She skillfully navigated teenaged drama, encouraged sports activities for her active children and would add kind words of encouragement with never a harsh word about anyone. Mary was the sounding board for troubles and always the hub for communication between her children. Mary opened her home to all her neighbors. In New York, Mary’s house was where the coffee was hot, and the Entenmanns crumb cake was sliced and ready. Neighbors Doris Sullivan from New York and Kathy and Marino Ferrari from New Hampshire were some of the best neighbors that Mary gathered to her home. In 2011 Mary suffered the loss of her husband Walter after moving to Daphne Alabama to be near their daughter Barbara and her family four years prior. Mary’s sister Margaret came to live with Mary in 2012. After that time Mary could be seen driving around Daphne with Margaret from Publics to the Senior center in her little neon green Sion creating a new life as the M&M sisters. Mary continued to create deep friendships that included neighbors Carole Simons and Suzanne and Malcom Zellner. Visits from them included news from the neighborhood and updates family happenings. Everyone who came to Mary’s home felt welcome, wanted, and appreciated. In the last five years Mary met Gloria Johnson who attended Mary’s church, the Shrine of the Holy Cross. Gloria was a kind, gentle and a loving friend. She helped with little tasks around the house and shared stories of family and local happenings. Patricia Lucky was the next new friend that entered Mary’s Life. Patricia’s sister, Belinda Kenny, and Nell Hughes joined the family of loving friends that supported Mary and her family throughout the remainder of her life.