Mary Ann Schaeffer, 83, of Norridgewock, ME, a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and dear friend, passed away peacefully June 12, 2026, surrounded by her adoring family.

Mary Ann was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from St. Basil Academy in Jenkintown, PA in 1961. On a blind date, Mary Ann met the love of her life, Frederick Schaeffer, and they were married on May 23, 1964.

Mary Ann first dedicated herself to her family, serving as a devoted mother and raising her three children until they reached school age. Over the years, she held several roles, including working as a waitress, receptionist, and secretary. The majority of her professional career was spent as a nutrition worker at Skowhegan Jr. High School, from which she retired in 2000.

Deeply committed to her community, Mary Ann spent many years as an active member of groups including the Daughters of Isabella, C.O.P.E., and the Bangor H.O.G. Chapter, frequently volunteering her time at various fundraising events. During her younger years, she was a dedicated leader in the Girl Scouts, where she focused on helping young girls build character, courage, and confidence as they worked to earn their badges.

A talented artisan, Mary Ann spent years designing and hand-crafting wooden baskets, often selling her beautiful creations at local craft fairs. She found deep fulfillment in knowing her work brought happiness to others. Beyond her basket making, she was a skilled seamstress who loved needlepoint, crocheting, and knitting—talents she took great pride in passing down to her daughters. Over the years, Mary Ann sewed clothing for herself and her family, including many gowns for her daughters' proms.

Defined by a life of adventure and a deep devotion to her loved ones, Mary Ann cherished every moment spent with her family. She and Fred explored the country together, creating lasting memories. One special trip was riding their Harleys side by side to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Following retirement, they enjoyed winters in Eustis, FL, where they built meaningful, lifelong friendships. As a mother, she was exceptionally dedicated, taking her children on camping trips and vacations to instill a love for family time. Whether she was cheering at a football game, field hockey match, or Little League game, Mary Ann was a constant source of support for her children's many activities. She also had a remarkable gift for making every holiday and milestone feel special, from preparing traditional Ukrainian Easter meals and sharing Christmas traditions to celebrating birthdays with a favorite dinner or dessert. Ultimately, her greatest happiness came from simply being there for her family.

Mary Ann found immense joy in being an active presence in her grandchildren's lives to whom she was exceptionally devoted. She was a constant fixture at their school concerts, dance recitals, and grandparents' breakfasts. When attending their baseball, softball, or basketball games, she could always be found with a scorebook in hand, meticulously recording every pitch, hit, and run scored as she intently followed the action. On birthdays, her family and particularly her grandchildren, always looked forward to a special phone call where she and Fred would sing "Happy Birthday" together, a tradition they took pride in. Mary Ann truly cherished every opportunity to support and celebrate her grandchildren.

Mary Ann is survived by her children Colleen Bailey (Mark), Jennifer Schaeffer-McDaniel (Dale), and Matthew Schaeffer (Angela); grandchildren Joshua (Abigail), Tyler (fiancé Natalie), Vanessa (Gage), and Gabriella; great-grandson Cooper Bailey; sister Irene Lombardi; and many nieces and nephews. Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents Harry and Helen Rosetta, and loving husband of 61 years, Frederick Schaeffer, and are together once again for eternity.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Somerset Valley Remembrance Center in Skowhegan. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 9th at 11:00 AM at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church in Skowhegan. A Committal Service will follow at the Veterans' Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Rd. in Augusta at 1:00 PM where Mary Ann and Fred will be laid to rest together.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Beacon Hospice, Lakewood Healthcare Center of Waterville, and Woodlands of Waterville for the compassionate support and care provided to their parents during these last two years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Beacon Hospice Care at https://www.amedisys.com/about/foundation/ who cared for Mary Ann in her final days.