Mary Harding Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

ROCHESTER ; Mary Harding died at Riverside Nursing Home on April 17, 2009 after a period of failing health.She was born Oct. 23, 1920, the daughter of Frank and Esther Callaghan.Mary was raised in Rochester and graduated from St. Mary Grammar School and Rochester High School in 1939.She worked as a dental hygienist, a telephone operator and during World War II, filled in at the Navy Yard when the men left for the war. Mary volunteered at the Rochester Historical Society and was a communicant of St. Mary Catholic Church.Mary enjoyed times at the beach with Dot and the kids, Callaghan holidays, crossword puzzles and was an avid reader.Her family includes brother Frank Callaghan and wife Dot; sister Madelyn Elliott of Bristol, Conn., and sister Barbara Provenzano and husband Frank of Bristol, Conn.; sister-in-law Alberta Callaghan of Rochester; dear friends Ron and Kathy Dowst of Rochester; and her many nieces and nephews, who she loved dearly.Mary was married to Philip Harding for 47 years. He died in 1995. She was predeceased by sister Louise Callaghan and brothers John, Rusty, FR. George and Gerald.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church on Lowell Street in Rochester.Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.Arrangements are under the direction of the R.M. Edgerly and Son Funeral Home, 86 S. Main St. Rochester, NH. @Online guest book:Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.