GardiniBATH — Mary E. Gardini, 34, died unexpectedly on Jan. 2 at Mid Coast Hospital.
She was born in Waterbury, Conn., on July 30, 1974, a daughter of Charles W. Sr. and Linda S. (Reed) DeMello.
In 1978, the family moved to Phippsburg, where she attended local schools.
She graduated with honors from Morse High School in 1992.
While growing up, she waitressed and cooked at the Center Store, owned by her family. She became known for her homemade whoopie pies and other baked dishes.
She completed a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Maine at Farmington.
After college, she worked at Morse High School in the computer science lab and taught computer science for the Adult Education Program.
She worked as a server and bartender at Applebee’s in Brunswick for the last 10 years.
Since 2004, she also worked as a licensed broker for Century 21 Shore and Country Real Estate. She earned five awards in recognition of her sales performances. She was also a sales trainer and computer technician for Century 21 Shore and Country.
She married James Gardini Jr. on July 17, 1999 at the United Church of Christ in Bath.
The proudest moment of her life was the birth of her son, James III, in August 2003. She cherished the time spent with her son, reading, singing and silly play times. She loved all children, volunteering at the Dike-Newell School in Bath and coaching hockey.
She enjoyed a number of hobbies, including dancing, karaoke, quilting, and gardening. She also made time for long phone conversations with her mother, ensuring that the family kept close.
She was known for her generosity, taking the lead to help others. She donated blood, was active in animal rescue, and grew her hair long in order to cut it for donating to Locks for Love as often as possible.
She is survived by her husband and son; her parents; brother Charles W. DeMello Jr. and his wife Shannon of Richmond Hills, Ga.; sisters, Jennifer Pierre and her husband Central of Sacramento, Calif., and Charline Wyman and husband William of Phippsburg; many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family.
Visiting hours were held Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 9 at the United Church of Christ, 150 Congress St., Bath, followed by a celebration of her life at the Phippsburg Sportsman’s Club, 272 Main Road, Phippsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Gardini Family Trust, c/o Key Bank, 40 Front St., Bath, ME.
Arrangements are by David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, Bath.