Mary Cady

ORONO, MAINE -Mary Kathryn Arnold Cady, 75; a trailblazer in athletics, journalism, and military service, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, leadership, and community impact. A proud Kansan (and Jayhawk!) and lifelong advocate for equality in sports and education, Mary's influence was felt from her hometown of Holton, Kansas, to the athletic fields, rinks, and fieldhouses of Maine.

Mary is survived by her beloved family, including her husband, Rob; daughter, Kate, and sons, Houston and Stuart and his wife, Erin and her sweet grandson, Wynn, as well as countless athletes, colleagues, and friends who were touched by her mentorship and generosity. She will be deeply missed and forever honored by those who had the privilege to know her.

Born and raised in Holton, Kansas, Mary graduated from Holton High School, Class of 1967, during an era when opportunities for young women in athletics were nearly nonexistent. Despite this, she was a constant presence in school activities, and her passion for sports would later define much of her career. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1971 with a B.S. in Journalism from the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. While at KU, she broke new ground as the first female sports reporter for the University Daily Kansan and became the Big 8 Rifle Champion in 1970, later serving as team captain and placing runner-up in 1971.

Mary's commitment to service led her to join the US Army, where she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the WAC Student Officer Program-before women were admitted to ROTC or the military academies. Her active-duty assignments included Fort McClellan, Fort Riley, Fort Ben Harrison, and Fort Devens. She later continued her military career in the Army Reserves, serving in units across Maine, New York, and Massachusetts, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. She was a proud Vietnam Era veteran.

Mary married fellow Army officer Rob Cady, and together they built a life centered on family, service, and athletics. In Orono, Maine, where she made her home, Mary became a cornerstone of the local sports community. Over three decades, she directed and organized hundreds of track and cross-country meets for Orono High and Middle Schools, the Penobscot Valley Conference, and the Eastern Maine Indoor Track League. She was instrumental in shaping the structure and safety of meets and mentoring generations of officials.

She also coached the Orono High School golf team for 11 years and served as an announcer and scorer for numerous high school sports including football and ice hockey. After retiring from directing, she continued her involvement through Brewer Timing Services as a Hy-Tek computer operator for schools across New England.

Mary's many accolades reflect her lifelong dedication: MIAAA Distinguished Service Award (1996, 2005, 2017); Larry LaBrie Award for Outstanding Contributions to Maine Interscholastic Athletics (2015); Maine USATF Presidential Award (2016); Orono High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (2020-21) and Maine Principals' Association Hall of Excellence Inductee (2021).

Mary will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, her love of sports, her unwavering belief in the power of community and her amazing cooking and baking skills. She had a passion for words-spoken, written, and even the occasional colorful one-and she used her voice to uplift others, organize chaos into clarity, and leave every place better than she found it.

All are welcome to attend a celebration of Mary's life at 2:00p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the track at Orono High School, 14 Goodridge Dr, Orono. In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a scholarship fund in her name. Donations can be made to Orono High School 14 Goodridge Dr, Orono, ME 04473, with Mary Cady in the memo. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.