Mary Beaurivage

Mary Beaurivage, 55, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Bridgton on Thursday, May 29, 2014.

Born on March 8, 1959, Mary was the daughter of Edith and Gerard Beaurivage of Sanford. She lived at home in her early years and attended Sanford public schools despite multiple special needs, thanks to her mother’s love, courage and relentless advocacy.

As a young adult and for the rest of her life, Mary lived in residential settings and institutions in New Hampshire and Maine. While struggling with Tourette’s syndrome and multiple mental and physical health problems, she met the many difficulties of her life head on and learned to adapt. She inspired those around her as she challenged systems that demanded conformity. Even in the most difficult times, Mary was able to connect and find allies in excruciating and sometimes chaotic circumstances, making friends and reminding everyone she met of our shared humanity and unconditional acceptance.

Among Mary’s gifts was her deep sensitivity. She was uncommonly perceptive and had an uncanny sense of what was happening in the hearts and minds of those around her. She had a gift for reading people, and an extraordinary memory. She never forgot a kindness, a joke, or a bond she shared with anyone throughout her life. Anybody who knew Mary understood her life was not easy, but also learned from her to not dwell in the past or anticipate the future, but simply live in the moment. Mary showed everyone how to take enormous pleasure in the simplest things. She loved pop culture, Dunkin’ Donuts hazelnut coffee, the latest fashion, thumb rings, bling, and leaves changing color. Mary also loved Moxie, a quality she had in spades. She made it known what she was thinking at all times and she cut to the chase. These qualities served her well in difficult circumstances.

In 2009, Mary moved into her own small home called Zion Hill, in Bridgton, where she enjoyed the best years of her life, thanks to her direct care staff and friends at Good Neighbors, Inc. She touched the lives of all of her caregivers, one said that, “Mary taught us all how to see the world not through our own nearsightedness, but rather through a broader vision of meeting people where they are.”

Mary surprised everyone who knew her and taught us about life — how to meet each day with exuberance, weather adversity and suffering, deepen our compassion, and find gifts in the most ordinary of things.

Mary is survived by her mother, Edith, of Boscawen, N.H.; sister Rosanne Beaurivage of Penacook, N.H.; and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the national Tourette Syndrome Association at tsa-usa.org.

A memorial service was held for Mary at Merrimack County Nursing Home, on June 11. A celebration and remembrance will be held at Highland Lake Park/Zion Hill today, Thursday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. in Bridgton. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, June 13 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. Committal prayers will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.