HIRAM- Mary Ellen (Curran) Cousins, 92, of Plains Rd passed away on February 22, 2026, peacefully in her own home due to underlying cancer in combination with other age-related complications, while surrounded by her children. Mary was born in Bath, Maine on December 07,1933, the daughter of Howard Curran and Evelyn (Pratt) Curran.
Mary is predeceased by her husband (Chief Engineman) Clifton W Cousins, United States Coast Guard (retired) whom she married on May 09, 1953. She is also predeceased by her sister Barbara Alexander and two half-brothers Alfred and Edwin Green, and a granddaughter Bianca Ellen Cousins.
Mary is survived by her two sons Clifton W Cousins Jr. and his partner Tiffany of Brownfield, and Michael H Cousins of Hiram along with his loyal chihuahua dog "Buddy" who was her recliner chair napping partner, daughter Valerie Kollander and her husband Larry of Fryeburg.
She is also survived by 7 grandchildren - Tania, Cory, Tyler, Cliff the third, Michaela, Jesse and Travis. 7 great grandchildren - Brianna, Lennon, Bristol, Bentley, Nolan, Mazie and Elias.
Mary is also survived by her sister Priscilla Durrell of Brunswick, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was a very kind and forgiving soul, she had no favorites nor held any grudges. She viewed everybody that came in contact with her life as equals.
She was a very hard worker with good ethics. In her younger years she worked at the Bath laundry and Bath Stinson Seafood canning sardines. After marrying and having children she became a homemaker and stay at home mom, changing diapers in one hand and doing dishes with the other while her husband served mostly on ships in the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. After her husband's retirement in 1972, she joined the public work force again to supplement income working for Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland, and later after moving from South Portland to Hiram to get her children away from city life and experience a little country life. She started working at the Cornish Dress Factory for a brief period, SAD 55 Lunch program and assisted with the Town of Hiram elections. She then worked at GTE Sylvania in Parsonsfield (Kezar Falls), and then again later working for GTE Sylvania in Standish after the Kezar Falls GTE shut down until her retirement. During her retirement she was caretaker for Ralph Bedell until his death.
Mary loved to knit and crochet, read the newspaper and local shopping guide, along with crossword puzzles, watching game shows and Judge Judy until she started a battle with Macular Degeneration. Although it deprived her of her driving abilities, she was determined to be independent and walked up town to get her mail and a few groceries numerous times without asking for assistance. Mary always enjoyed a lobster dinner every now and again never leaving one morsel of meat to waste.
Overall, Mary was a very soft-spoken woman but was also a very large example of what a human being should be, that will be sadly missed.
There will be no service or visiting hours. A spring burial next to her husband will be conducted in the Spring at Togas (Augusta) Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations and or contributions to Home Hospice Andwell Health Partners. Denise, Ann Marie, Amanda and Tina from Home Hospice were so compassionate, helpful and supportive.