Mary Guiseley

RAYMOND — Mary Zeegers Guiseley, 58, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with inherited lung cancer on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014.

She had recently begun a rapid decline, which sadly ended her life much too soon.

A 24-year resident of Raymond, previously from Portland and Naples, she was born a twin in Portland on June 7, 1956, to Gary and Shirley Zeegers. She grew up in Portland and Naples and graduated from Lake Region High School. She went on to Thomas College and earned her associate’s degree in retail management. She moved to Florida, where she was a buyer for a large retail store, before moving back to Maine to work at Bass Shoe for several years.

While living in Portland, she met her husband, Dr. David Guiseley of Gray, to whom she has been married for the past 24 years. She worked in the insurance industry for several years before beginning her own business in the adoption world. Through her Connections Adoption Agency, she helped over 300 adoptive couples and birth mothers come together to place children into loving families, mostly with open adoptions, as her family was formed the same way. At the end of last year, after working in adoption for 15 years, she decided to retire in hopes of enjoying even more time with her family, traveling and crafting. She was very proud of her two children, Jackie and Aaron, for their accomplishments thus far in their lives, and in their bright futures that she so wished she could have been a part.

She had an artistic flair for flower design, and flower gardening, and had recently taken up pottery. She loved life and loved helping people. She found joy in planning family gatherings and functions for her church, and traveling to the Caribbean Islands, China, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and many U.S. destinations. Her favorite place to revisit was Barbados, where she secretly hoped to “winter” later in her retirement. Mary was an avid Red Sox fan, whose favorite player was Mike Lowell.

She was an animal lover, and was looking forward to being reunited with her special Yorkie, Chelsea once she made her journey to heaven. She loved all animals, but especially dogs, cats and horses. Her current animals, Faith, Chocolate, Mickey, Tilly and Bell will miss her loving care.

She was predeceased by her parents, Gary and Shirley Zeegers; and her sister, Nancy Dinsmore.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. David Guiseley of Raymond; daughter, Jackie of North Yarmouth; son, Aaron of Raymond; older brother Rick Zeegers of Naples; twin brother Mark Zeegers of West Paris; and an uncle.

Visiting hours were on Monday, Aug. 11, at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. Funeral services were on Tuesday, Aug. 12, with a graveside service following at Walnut Hill Cemetery in North Yarmouth. A reception followed at Lindquist Funeral Home in Yarmouth. Flowers are welcomed, but if preferred, a donation to the American Lung Association in Mary’s memory would be appreciated.