BRISTOL — Mary L. Bienvenue, 81, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, with family by her side.

She was born in Derry, N.H., Oct. 16, 1940, the daughter of Frederick and Francina (Scott) Bennett. Mary was a member of the Vergennes Fire Department Auxiliary. She worked at Kelly’s Grocery in Woodsville, N.H. She enjoyed spending time with her family, who were very important to her. Some activities they did together were camping and sitting by the campfire; the family would go to Kezar Lake in Maine, where they had lots of blueberry bushes. They would go berry picking and, as difficult as it could be, she would make blueberry muffins, even blueberry pie, with the camp stove oven. 

She liked hiking and playing softball. Mary also loved music — to sing and dance — and taught all of her kids how to dance. She liked to cook, bake, sew, knit, crochet and draw. She was also a practical joker, although her victims might not think so, for instance her husband; when she hid in a closet and jumped out when he went to hang his coat up the kids thought it was hilarious.

She married Roger L. Bienvenue on June 7, 1958. They’d been married for 60 years when he passed away in 2018.

Survivors include her five children: Lesley J. Bienvenue; Francie M. Deyette and husband Robert P. Deyette of Vergennes, Vt.; Roger M. Bienvenue and wife Melissa of Addison, Vt.; Mark R. Bienvenue and wife Jackie of Bath, N.H.; Shawn A. Bienvenue and wife Kimberly of North Haverhill, N.H.; 13 grandchildren; and a passel of great-grandchildren (30); her sisters, Marilyn Morse of Missouri, Florence Lasman of New Hampshire, and Cheryl and husband Fred Schram of Massachusetts; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. There are no public services planned at this time. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice. To send online condolences to her family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊