Mary Cormier

Mary Louise (Cox) Cormier, R.N. Ed. D

Mary Lou Cormier, 88, peacefully passed away on August 21, 2025, after a short illness. Born on October 8, 1936, in Orrington, Maine, she was the fourteenth and youngest child of Walter Cox and Mary Louise (Tardiff) Cox.

A graduate of John Bapst High School, she attended nursing school at the Catherine Laboure School of Nursing and received her R.N licensure. Mary Lou was employed as a nurse in Bangor for many years before deciding to go back to school for education. She received a Master's degree from the University of Maine in counseling and higher education, and a Doctoral degree in educational administration from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Cormier served as a full professor and administrator in human service degree programs at the University of Maine at Orono and Bangor for thirty-eight years and was honored to become the first president of the New England Organization of Human Service educators. During her years living in Castine, Mary Lou volunteered as an EMT for the Bagaduce Ambulance Corps and as president of the United Way of Penobscot Valley. Mary Lou cherished the time she served at Our Lady of Holy Hope, Roman Catholic Church in Castine, and later as a Eucharist Minister and reader at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor.

Mary Lou and Ray led a busy and fulfilled life, raising their children, relaxing at their home in Castine, traveling extensively, and enjoying many wonderful adventures with their grandchildren, family members and good friends. Laughs, games and hijinks were plentiful and lasting memories were definitely made.

Mary Lou was predeceased in 2020 by her husband of sixty years, Raymond J. Cormier. She is survived by her daughter, Alison Cormier, her son, Michael Cormier and wife, Tammy, her grandchildren, Cameron Cormier and wife, Jenna, Cody Cormier and wife, Mindy and their daughter, Shay, and Maddison Cormier and significant other, Ryan Tessier. She also leaves behind many special nieces, nephews, dear friends, wonderful neighbors and three loving Boston terriers.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Monsignor Frank Murray, the clergy and friends at St. Mary's Church, and the caring and compassionate staff at St. Joseph's Hospital.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 am Saturday, August 30, 2025 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ohio St., Bangor followed by the Rite of Committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingSmith.com.