Mary Hester Lamey

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Mary Hester Lamey, age 71, died on March 21, 2017 after battling cancer and Alzheimer's.

She leaves behind Neil, her husband of 48 years, who was by her side every day caring for her until the end. She is also survived by her two sons, Chris Lamey of Birmingham, Alabama and his wife Jenny, and Jared Lamey of Saco, Maine and his wife Jill. Mary, known lovingly as YaYa, has seven grandchildren, Hayden (14), Zachary (11), Chase (10), Charlie (9), Addie (7), Olivia (7) and the youngest grandchild who is due April 26. Mary was a triplet and is survived by her triplet sister, Peggy Johannessen of Kissimmee, Florida; triplet brother, William Hester of Towson, Maryland, and his wife Lynda; and sister-in-law, Debbie Hester of Colorado.

Her older brother, George Hester preceded Mary in death.

Mary was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and enjoyed her childhood there with her older brother George, and her triplet brother and sister, Bill and Peggy.

Their father died at a young age and their mother raised them working as a nurse. She admired her mother and what she had to do to raise a houseful of children on her own.

Mary lived in Baltimore until she met Neil in 1969. They were engaged after only three months then Neil went off to Vietnam.

Once he returned they were married and then a year later had their first son, Chris. Their second son, Jared, was born seven years later.

They lived all over, from New England to New York to Ohio to North Carolina, finally retiring in their favorite vacation spot, Goose Rocks Beach, Maine, where Mary designed the home they built.

In recent years, they started to vacation in south Alabama and loved it so much they bought a house in Point Clear. They would then split their time, spending the colder months in Point Clear, Alabama and the warmer months in Maine.

Mary enjoyed mostly being with her family, especially her grandchildren, and loved spending time with them on the rocking chairs of her front porch in Maine overlooking the marsh, or playing with them in the sands of Goose Rocks Beach. She loved her sons and daughters-in-law dearly, and she loved her husband Neil and was very devoted to him throughout their life together.

Mary was an avid gardener, interior designer, chef and entertainer. She loved her dogs and spoiled them rotten.

She loved getting to know people, and was a great conversationalist. She was always serving those around her and putting others first.

She was a great example of living a life of unconditional love. She was a beautiful lady inside and out, conscientious of others, full of compassion and poised with grace.

Mary's family wishes to extend special thanks to her Maine and Alabama caregivers, Martha Couture and Jareny Highsmith, all the staff at Westminster in Spanish Fort, Alabama and Community Hospice for the loving way they all cared for her in her final days. They have become like family to us.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope, Alabama.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

A reception will immediately follow at Lakewood Golf and Country Club.

An additional service will be held at a date to be announced in July in Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Baldwin County, 1450 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535, or the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.

Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 19698 Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.