FERRISBURGH — On March 25, 2021, Mary Ringer Essex passed away at home surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 63. Mary was born to Frederick and Lucille (Patrie) Ringer Sr. on May 12, 1957, in Burlington, Vt. She blessed her family on Mother’s Day as the first girl born after four boys. She attended Vergennes Union High School, graduating in 1975. While in school, Mary participated in softball, field hockey, cheerleading, gymnastics, and swimming.
Mary worked various jobs throughout her life. She worked at Simmonds in Vergennes. She also worked as a caregiver at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. Mary worked at many different restaurants, but Dog Team Tavern was her favorite place. After leaving the Dog Team Tavern, Mary became a partner on the Essex Family Farm, alongside her husband, David. Here is where she fulfilled the rest of her time.
She was well loved by many. There was not a place Mary could go that she did not know someone or make a new friend. Mary cherished her family by displaying pictures of her grandbabies all over her home, along with her love of cows. She enjoyed taking trips to the casino to play the penny slots. Her favorite thing to do was to go out dancing and listen to live music. She loved many local bands, a favorite being The Hitmen.
Mary was survived by her loving husband of 39 years, David Essex; her children, Jessica (Bell) and Adam Brigante and their children Randy and Liliana; Tim and Kristen (Haines) Essex and their children Dylan and Haylee; Tyler and Katie (Boulerice) Essex and their children Carly and Sam; her siblings, Fred and Anne Ringer, Mike Ringer, and Patrick and Patricia Ringer Sr., Lu-Anne (Ringer) and Paul Mailloux; sister-in-law Wendy (Cushman) Ringer; brother-in-law Sam Essex and Sue Richardson; brother-in-law Dan Essex and Harriet Murray; and mother-in-law Jo Essex. Mary also had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Lucille (Patrie) Ringer Sr., brother Tony Ringer and father-in-law Sam Essex Sr.
Many special thanks to the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad and Addison County Home Health and Hospice staff for the compassionate care they shared with Mary and her family. Also, Dr. Paul Unger and his staff for all the support during the tough battle with cancer.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, March 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes. A mask is required for services.
For those who cannot attend in person the funeral services will be recorded and available to watch on the following Saturday, April 3, on the Brown-McClay Funeral Home Website. The video will be located on the bottom of the obituary.
To read the full obituary, send online condolences to her family, or watch the video of the service visit brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊