EDDINGTON - Mary Jeffords Mills, 76, died peacefully March 15, 2009, with family at her side at a Bangor health care facility. She was born Oct. 7, 1932, in Rutland, Vt., daughter of the late Chief Justice Olin and Marion (Hausman) Jeffords. Mary graduated from Rutland High School, Class of 1950, and Wheelock College, Class of 1954. She began her 32-year primary school teaching career in West Newton, Mass., and then Rutland, Vt. In 1960 she married Brooks B. Mills at Grace Congregational Church, Rutland, Vt., and they began their life together in Brewer. They settled on their beloved Edgewood Tree Farm in 1968. While in Maine, Mary taught in the Brewer, Eddington and Holden schools. She retired in 1992 after 20 years of teaching first and third grades in SAD 63. After retirement Mary substitute taught in area elementary schools. A lifelong teacher, her former students remember her fondly. Wherever she lived, Mary was an active and respected part of her community. She was a member of All Soul's Congregational Church, Bangor, and East Eddington Community Church, where she taught Sunday school. Mary was also involved with Eddington Historical Society and Eddington Plant and Pray Garden Club. Mary received the greatest pleasure from the simple things in life, such as reading to her grandchildren, working alongside Brooks on their tree farm and tending to her gardens. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and friend. Unselfishness and commitment to helping others earned her the love and respect of all who knew her. Mary's warmth, kindness and generous smile will be long remembered. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Brooks. Surviving are her son, John Mills and his wife, Jenny, of Brewer; daughter, Hope Keleher and her husband, Bill, of Topsham; five grandchildren, Erin, Emily and Ryan Mills, Ben and Grace Keleher; one brother, former Vermont U.S. Sen. James Jeffords of Washington, D.C.; her nephew, Leonard Jeffords; and niece, Laura Jeffords Molvak, also of Washington, D.C. The family gives a warm and heartfelt thank you to the staff at My Friend's Place, Hospice of Eastern Maine and especially Westgate Manor for the exceptional and compassionate care Mary received the last three years of her life. A memorial service will be held at East Eddington Community Church, to be announced in the spring. Those who wish to remember Mary in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Eddington Elementary School, 440 Main Road, Eddington, ME 04428 or My Friend's Place, 703 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements by Memorial Alternatives, 205 Center St., Bangor.