GRAY — Mary Ann (Watt) Redlon, 78, passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospital in Portland on Monday, Nov. 29, 2011, with her loving son at her side.

The family was pleased that she stayed long enough on Sunday to spend time with her beloved nieces, family and lifelong friends before she journeyed on to join those loved ones waiting for her at the dance.
She was born in Bridgton on June 28, 1933, to C. B. Watt and Christine Jewett Watt.

Mary Ann was born to be a nurse. As a young girl, she lovingly cared for her ailing mother. Upon her mother’s death, she forged ahead by caring for local families, while she worked her way through school at Fryeburg Academy. She proudly graduated in 1951 and moved to Portland to attend Mercy Hospital’s School of Nursing. It was in Portland where she met the love of her life, Paul E. Redlon. She first saw him working high atop a church steeple, and their dance began.

They married in 1956, and even after 52 years of marriage Paul lovingly referred to her as “his girlfriend.”

Moving from Portland to Little Sebago Lake in 1968 was another milestone. The Redlons were the first family to live year round on the Upper Camp Road. Since this portion of the road was not plowed in the winter, Mary Ann used her snowmobile to transport groceries, laundry and children back and forth from the house to the lot where her car was parked. Happy memories of being at the lake are deeply woven throughout the entire, large, extended family.

Mary Ann loved being a nurse. She worked in various disciplines from OB to gerontology. She rose to the position of Director of Nursing at Brentwood Manor in Yarmouth. It was there she combined two of her passions, nursing and cats. She understood the connection shared between people and animals. She convinced her employers to allow three live-in cats. She was a pioneer in pet therapy. Mary Ann’s love of animals began at birth and she always had pets. In fact, she and Paul received two cats as wedding gifts!
Mary Ann also loved to teach. She taught CNA classes at Brentwood, led Girl Scout Troops in Gray and was always eager to share her wealth of knowledge and professionalism.

She was an independent woman, well ahead of her time. When told by her banker that she needed her husband’s approval to buy a car she stated, “It’s not his car!” (She loved her Golden Olds.)

Throughout her life, Mary Ann’s personal mantra was “You can and You will!” And, she did!

Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Paul E. Redlon; her brother, Bernard C. Watt; and her sister, Veronica (Watt) Lewis.

She is survived by her three children, John J. Redlon III, Bernardette Redlon, both of Gray, and Rachael Redlon of Tampa, Fla.; her cherished only grandson; and also many nieces and nephews who made up her large family she so dearly loved.

Visitation was held on Friday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Road, Gray. Graveside services will be in Gray Village Cemetery in the spring. A celebration of her life will be held at the lake at that time. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed to the family at www.legacy.com. Arrangements entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home, LLC, Gray.

Please make memorial donations to: Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Rd., Fryeburg, ME 04037.