WATERVILLE – “And thou shall be with me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, holy is your name.” Our dearly beloved Aunt Mary Ayoob, at age 103, was led by all the angels and saints into the heavenly kingdom for her eternal life on Jan. 16, 2022. Mary was born in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of William and Sadie Ferris Ayoob. She graduated from Fort Fairfield High School and Mercy Hospital in Portland, where she received her associate nursing degree. Her life was one of service to others as she dedicated all her working years as an RN at Fort Fairfield General Hospital where she delivered several nieces, Sister’s Hospital, Elizabeth Ann Seton Hospital, and Thayer Hospital in Waterville. Mary’s immense compassion led her to take a leave of absence at any moment when her family members needed her to care for them. When visiting with her youngest sister, Phyllis Ayoob Cogswell, and her family in various states, she often continued her nursing service. She was thrilled to travel with Phyllis and her husband, Ralph, to Hawaii. It was a journey of immense happiness and joy.Aunt Mary, or Good Ol’ Aunt Mary, as her nieces and nephews called her, was full of love, kindness, humility, gentleness, generosity, simplicity, and unconditional love for her family – her legacy with whom she had the honor of being a “mother.” Treating us to ice cream cones on hot summer days and playing childhood games with us are among some of our fond memories. The days of fun seemed never ending spent with us at the camp of her sister, Cecilia Ayoob Coury, cheering us on as we learned to swim, water ski, sail, and row boats or joining us for picnics on the dock and leisurely walks on the camp road inspiring songs and prayers.The outdoors and joy of nature were among her life’s pleasures. Her flowers always bloomed with unspeakable beauty and she could make any tomato or cucumber plant grow with her tender touch. Feeding and watching the birds were simple delights that reflected her sweet disposition. Reading and traveling were among her favorite hobbies. She traveled on the Queen Mary to the Middle East. Accompanied by her sister Annie Ayoob Joseph, her dear cousins Dianne Joseph, and Mary Ferris, she had an incredible journey. Meeting and staying with cousins in Lebanon whom they had never seen was heartwarming. Visiting several Middle Eastern countries and sightseeing in Egypt, including a camel ride, was a memorable journey that tenderly touched her heart.Mary also enjoyed North American trips accompanied by her lifelong best friend and fellow nurse, Mary Hall, including an Alaskan cruise, a gift received on her 80th birthday. A trip to the Rocky Mountains in Canada with its majestic views was especially memorable as Mary was forever grateful for the opportunity to view the splendor of nature. Mary was predeceased by her parents, William and Sadie Ayoob; her brothers George Ayoob, Louis Ayoob and her sisters Annie Ayoob Joseph (Elias), Cecilia Ayoob Coury (Joseph), Phyllis Ayoob Cogswell (Ralph); her nephews Darrell Joseph and Lawrence Ayoob, her nieces Gail Ayoob McManus, Jacqueline Ayoob Cilley; and in-laws, Nancy Joseph, Reginald Bernard, and Jim Schuyler. She leaves behind her precious legacy of nieces and nephews Herbert Joseph, William Ayoob (Diane), Andrea Ayoob Pelletier (Dick), Phyllis Hay Ayoob, Anne Coury Bernard (Michael), Martha Coury Patterson (Neal), Peter Cogswell (Lillie), Michael Cogswell (Cynthia), Binette Cogswell Schuyler; 29 great-nieces and great-nephews; 30 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews; and many loving dear cousins, and friends. A devout Catholic, Mary was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Maronite Church and Corpus Christi Parish. If you were observant, you could always see her putting money in poor boxes.Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a celebration of her life will be held in July with a local Mass and social gathering followed by a burial service in Fort Fairfield.The family of Mary wishes to thank all of Mary’s physicians, nurses, care givers, and Hospice with a special thanks to Dr. Stephanie Calkins for her home visits. If you wish to give in Mary’s memory, a Mass card or donation to a charity of your choice may be made