Obituary of Mary A. Tennyson

Chestertown: Mary A. Tennyson, 98, of Vern Tennyson Road, passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 18, 2011 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born April 4, 1913 in Greenfield Center, she was one of ten children of the late Frank and Catherine (Storzek) Cooper. In her earlier days, Mary was a waitress at several hotels in the Friends Lake area. She married Vernon Tennyson, her husband of 33 years on November 2, 1932. Mary was a stay-at-home mom, while raising her five children. She returned to the workforce, after her husband fell ill, working at Stewart’s Mountain View House as a cleaner and kitchen aide in the summer months. Mary was later employed with the Town of Warrensburg as a cleaner for 31 years, retiring at the age of 83. She also cleaned at the Warrensburg Sub Station for the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Warrensburg Fire Company and several families in the Chestertown and Warrensburg area. She was a long time member of the Warrensburg American Legion Auxiliary. Mary will be remembered for her delicious rolls, pies, and wine that she enjoyed making. She looked forward to yearly vacations with her family. She enjoyed traveling to many states, with her most memorable trip being to Washington D.C, visiting the Pentagon, England, and going on Caribbean cruises. Mary loved to crochet, and for many years made lap blankets and afghans for veterans and family members. She enjoyed playing cards and other games with her family and friends, as well as dancing, especially square dancing. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her beloved husband, Vernon; brothers, Joseph Cooper, Anthony Cooper, Francis Cooper, and John Cooper; sisters, Elizabeth Drake, Anna Tennyson, and Rose Cooper; grandsons, Norman Wood and Charles Tennyson, Jr.; and a granddaughter, Regina Tennyson. Mary is survived by her son, Marvin Tennyson and his wife, Agnes of Pottersville; four daughters, Marie Wood of Hartford, AL, Margaret Spinweber of West Palm Beach, FL, Carol Beard and her husband, Wyatt of Geneva, FL, and Violet Tennyson and her husband, Charles of Chestertown; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Doreen Cooper of Warrensburg. She also leaves behind her extended family and children who have grown to love her over the years, affectionately knowing her as “Grandma Tennyson,” along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call on Mary’s family from 5-8 pm, Thursday, September 22, 2011, at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Friday, at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Warrensburg with Fr. Paul Cox, officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in Chester Rural Cemetery, Chestertown. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Mary’s name to High Peaks Hospice or a charity of one’s choice. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.