AUBURN — Mary L. (Castro) Garcia of Greene passed away peacefully on Nov. 25, at the Hospice House with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Mary was born June 24, 1923, to Lola and Jose Castro in New York, N.Y. She was educated in the New York City schools. Mary married Anthony Garcia, Dec. 12, 1943, and her beloved daughter, Michele, was born in 1947.

She worked for Ma Bell in New York City for many years — first as a telephone operator and then as a supervisor. She retired in 1983. After her retirement, Mary enjoyed traveling with her companion, John Carroll, and spending summers at her camp on the Tacoma Lakes.

Mary cared deeply about her family and loved family gatherings for holidays and birthdays. She was an avid card player, enjoyed painting and loved to go shopping for bargains.

She made beautiful Christmas stockings and Christmas tree ornaments that she gave to her family and friends throughout the years. Mary was a life-long resident of New York City until she moved to Maine several years ago to live with her daughter and son-in-law, and she never stopped considering herself a New Yorker through and through.

In her later years, she treasured spending time with her great-grandchildren and taking family vacations with four generations of her family to Florida, California, and Puerto Rico.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Michele (Garcia) Stowe, and her husband, Mark Stowe, of Greene; her granddaughter, Rebecca Stowe, and her husband, Ryan Alekman, of Belchertown, Mass.; her great-grandchildren, Lily and Zachary Stowe-Alekman, of Belchertown, Mass.; her niece and goddaughter, Pamela Blanco, and her husband, Jan Villatore, of Andover, N.J.; and her sister-in-law, Ida Inderbitzen Castro, of New York, N.Y.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Lola and Jose Castro; her companion, John Carroll; her husband, Anthony Garcia; her sister, Loli Blanco and brother-in-law, Peter Blanco; her brothers, James Castro and Jose “Pepe” Castro; and her niece, Lola “Cookie” Blanco.

The family would like to thank the staff of the ICU and the M2 Floor at CMMC and the staff of the Hospice House in Auburn for their extraordinary caring and compassion during a difficult time.

You are invited to offer condolences and share fond memories of Mary by visiting her guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

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