Mary Steger, 79

 

Mary Steger

RAYMOND — Mary Elizabeth Cote Dodge Steger, 79, of Raymond suddenly passed away from complications of a stroke on Feb. 26, 2017, surrounded by her family, while vacationing in Destin, Fla.

She was born in Scarborough, on July 16, 1937, the daughter of Ernest Louis Sr. and Helen Mary (McCormick) Cote. She attended Scarborough schools.

Mary was married to Norman Dodge from 1954 until 1979. Together, they raised their five children in Windham. Mary was proud to be a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed being involved in her children’s activities. She enjoyed everything in life, but especially liked traveling, cake decorating, chaperoning and attending her children’s events.

Mary married James Steger in 1981 and made Brooksville, Fla., their home. She worked as a hostess/waitress at Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant. While residing in Florida for more than 20 years, Mary was Disney World’s best tour guide for many of her friends and family. In 2002, they moved to Maine, but remained in contact with her Florida friends and extended family.

Mary enjoyed traveling around the country as far south as Key West and all the way to California. She also made a trip to Ireland, where she kissed the Blarney Stone as a tribute to her Irish heritage.

Mary was always ready to accept an opportunity to cruise the Caribbean. She recently attained her goals of parasailing, riding a motorcycle on her 70th birthday, and owning her dream convertible.

Mary was thought of as the matriarch of the Cote and Dodge families, organizing family gatherings; and was known to be the glue that kept her large family intact. Mary’s legacy was that of a caregiver. She cared for and touched the lives of elderly family members and friends, as well as teenage family members she took into her home. In recent years, she cared for a number of infants and toddlers, including her great-grandson Logan, who was a miracle baby and needed much medical care. Babies were her greatest joy.

She was predeceased by her infant son, David Dodge; her husband, James Steger; her five brothers, Ernest Jr., Clifford, Stanley, Albert and Donald Cote; along with stepson, Michael Steger.

Mary was many things throughout her life, but she liked best to be known as a wonderful mother and grandmom. She will be dearly missed by her surviving family, her brother, Victor Cote of Scarborough; and her sister, Florence “Lori” Cote Tunnell of Michigan; her children, Ronald Dodge of Raymond, Bonnie Dodge Searles of Poland, Kenneth Dodge of Raymond, Sandra Dodge Mears of Westbrook and Bradford Dodge of Raymond; 12 grandchildren who called her Grandmom with affection; five great-grandchildren; her stepchildren, James Steger and Susie Steger West, all of California; and Francis Steger Duchesneau of Washington; 11 grandchildren, many step great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Per Mary’s wishes, there will be no immediate funeral service. A celebration of her life will be held this summer.