Mary Kathryn Ahearn (née McAllister), 65, of Farmington New Hampshire, passed away on the morning of February 14th, 2023 following a hard-fought battle with cancer, for a little over a year. Mary passed peacefully at her home comforted by her husband of 49 years, her daughter and granddaughter, and surrounded by close family and a dear friend.

Mary was born on May 4th, 1957 to Jean and Larry McAllister in Winchester, MA. Mary attended Chelmsford High School in Chelmsford, MA, where she met her husband Bernard “Bernie” Francis Ahearn. Mary was wed to Bernie on January 5th, 1974 at the All Saints Church by reverend Paul Twelves. They went on to have one child, Joanne Kimberly Stemska (née Ahearn). Mary spent the first part of her married life at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina, while Bernie was serving in the Marines Corps. They eventually settled in Farmington, New Hampshire, where Mary lived most of her life.

Mary started her nursing career after graduating from Stratham School of Nursing in Stratham, NH with her LPN license. Mary later obtained an Associates Degree in Nursing nursing and RN license. She attended Northern Essex Community College, where she and her husband Bernie attended together and graduated Salutatorian as the first husband and wife to graduate together from Northern Essex’s nursing program. Mary spent a large portion of her nursing career working at Frisbie Memorial Hospital, where she met many wonderful friends, who she has remained close with over the years. Mary spent the latter part of her career at Cambridge Hospital, and she was a proud member of the Massachusetts Nursing Association as a Union Representative and member of the Negotiations Committee.

Mary enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, gardening, and reading. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, at their second home in Provincetown, Cape Cod, along with close family and friends, walking the beach, and sitting by the ocean. Mary was very close to her late sister-in-law, Marie Lessard. They were the best of friends for the majority of their lives. Mary was also very close to her granddaughter, Kiah Simone Martinico (née Toner). Mary was very involved and supportive throughout Kiah’s life, and one of her biggest joys was being able to attend Kiah’s wedding this past fall, after being lovingly involved with planning each detail every step of the way. Mary loved her family and larger extended family more than anything in this world, and she made it a point to be involved in some way in each of their lives. Mary was always keeping up to date on the latest happenings with everyone, and she loved each and every one of her family members deeply.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Jean McAllister (née Pierce) and Lawrence McAllister, as well as many of her beloved sibling in-laws. She is survived by her husband, Bernard F. Ahearn of Farmington, NH; daughter, Joanne K. Stemska and husband Matthew Stemska Sr. of Kittery, ME; granddaughter Kiah Martinico and husband Michael Martinico; grandson Matthew Stemska; brothers: Michael McAllister of Poland, ME, Daniel McAllister of Waterboro, ME, and Andrew McAllister and spouse Cecile of Arundel, ME. Mary leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be on Saturday, February 18th at the Edgerly & Son’s Funeral Home in Rochester, NH from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.

This will be followed by a service on Sunday, February 19 from 2-4pm at Emmanuel Advent Christian Church in Rochester, NH.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Brigham and Women’s Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston, MA, who took such loving and devoted care of Mary during her time of need. They took every step to ensure Mary was able to remain comfortable and have the most quality of life and time with her family she could.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, as she always found purpose and joy in helping others. St Jude was a cause close to Mary’s heart.

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