Mary L. Bardell

Mary L. Bardell, age 86, of Stoneham, formerly of Long Island, New York, died unexpectedly at her residence on December 9, 2016. She was the wife of the late Herbert C. Bardell with whom she had shared 47 years of marriage.
Mary was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1930 to Frank and Leona (Saunders) Davis.
She lived a long and adventurous life. From her early days at Watley HS for Girls, Abyssina Baptism Church and SUNY where she was an honor student, sung soprano opera in the choir and was a competitive swimmer.
She held many professions in her life from a pastry chef at Stouffers, to a telephone operator in NYC, to a government inspector for the DDC in NY. However, her favorite profession was being a loving “nan” to her numerous grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. She adored watching them grow and providing an abundance of hand crocheted afghans, scarfs and hats (lots of hats).
Unknown to many, she learned how to fly from a Tuskegee Airman she dated and developed her interest in flying. She did all to get her license except complete the final exam due to her fear of flying solo across country.
In her later years, she cherished her time with family and friends at the Fiirst Congregational Church in Stoneham. The congregation became her family away from family. Mary was loved and cherished by all who came to know her and she will be missed.
She leaves behind four children, Tyrone of Chicago, IL, Yvonne of Riverhead, NY, Pamela of Medford, NY and Robert of Stoneham. She also leaves behind numerous foster children as well as her grandchildren who adored her. She was the mother of the late Charles and Frank.
A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Stoneham on Friday, December 16th at 3:30 P.M. A coffee hour will be held in her honor on Sunday morning, December 18th at 11am. The week following Christmas she will taken to Long Island, back home to her family and be laid to rest with her late husband at Calverton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in Mary’s name to the Stoneham Food Pantry, c/o the First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Stoneham 02180. Arrangements under the direction of Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home.