Kittery-Mary Alice Mace, 95, passed away on Thursday, December 24 ^th , at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital after a brief hospitalization.

Mary was born in Haverhill, MA to parents Sheadrick and Philomena(Steele) Jackson-the youngest sibling to dearly loved brothers Charlie, John and Austin.  She attended Haverhill schools and graduated from Haverhill High in 1944.  A child of the depression, she attributed her independence and sense of gratitude to growing up amidst the backdrop of those years.

On New Years Eve, 1947 she met the love of her life, Bill Mace, at a dance at the Grange Hall in Amesbury, MA.  They would marry on October 20, 1948 and spend sixty one years of life together.  Their marriage was based on respect, laughter and a strong devotion to their Catholic faith. Everyone who knew "Bill and Mary" always viewed them as a couple-where you saw one, you saw the other.

In the early 1950's, Mary and Bill settled in Kittery, Maine-their home and community for the rest of their life.   Mary was a homemaker first and foremost and focused her life on her home- raising children Bridget, Michael and Patty.  She was an active member of the community and was a great volunteer for many organizations.  She worked at part time jobs outside of the home.  Her very favorite job was part time librarian at the Rice Public Library where she was able to combine her love of the townspeople with her love of reading.

Mary and Bill continued their love of ballroom dancing during their retirement years and each Saturday night would find them at the Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket, NH. There they enjoyed a large circle of friends who would become family and spent some of the happiest hours of their lives.

Mary was an active communicant of St. Raphael's Church for almost seventy years.  She was a member of the Altar Society and the Women's Group.  A devout Catholic, she practiced her faith every day in prayer and action.  She had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and the rosary and encouraged all to "say a Rosary every day."

Father David Raymond, close friend of the family, told Mary she had the gift of hospitality.  The door to her home was always open to friends and family and she loved nothing more than having company.   There was always a cup of tea and a goodie to be eaten at Mary's home. She was a friend to many, far and wide, and a true confidant.  She was also, per grandson, Jeffrey, the world's "greatest Nana." She was loved by and loved many.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Portsmouth Regional Hospital for exceptional care during exceptional times and the staff of Beacon Hospice.  They would also like to thank Drs. Thomas Clairmont and Brett Rankin for years of wonderful health care. Finally, the family extends great gratitude to Pamela Wright Shaw who was Mary's caregiver for the final 5 months of her life.

Mary was pre-deceased by husband Bill in 2009 and son Michael in 2010.  Survivors include daughters Bridget Succi of Kittery and Patricia Shorthill (David) of Kennebunkport.  Grandchildren: Michael Succi of York, Michelle Succi Wickman (Michael) of York, Melanie St. Laurent (Brian) of Epping, NH, Karl Mace (Kami) of Savannah, GA, Thomas Shorthill (Richie) of Kissimmee, FL, Christopher Shorthill (Eryn) of Satellite Beach, FL, Jeffrey Shorthill, SLC, UT.  Great grandchildren, Jacob, Mya, Tyler, Christopher, Chloey, Keegan, Kyler, Kaleigh, Austin, Conor, Zoey and Great Great grandchild, Mael.

Services: A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 19th, 2021 at 11am at St Raphael's Church, located at 6 Whipple Rd, Kittery, ME 03904. If you wish to make a donation to Mary's memory, please consider the Footprints Food Pantry, PO Box 246 Kittery, Maine 03904 . Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com .