Mary T. "Petie" Lake

Mary T. "Petie" Lake passed away November 2, 2015 at home in Boise, Idaho with her husband Jerry by her side. Petie was born on Christmas Eve 1938 to John H. and Ethel (Ordway) Clawson in Schenectady, New York, the third of three girls. She spent her growing up years in upstate New York, including summers spent at Lake George. She attended Cortland State Teachers College where she met her husband Jerome who was attending Cornell. When they married she joined him in Washington DC where she attended and graduated from George Washington University with a BA in Education. She taught for a year in the schools in Arlington until they moved to Gloucester, to an old farmhouse on Concord Street right on Walker Creek where the family would spend many happy years. She started teaching in Beverly but when their three children were born she took a hiatus from teaching. For many years she was the go to mom for learning card games and Red Rover, how to sew and garden and she tried her hand at many interests. Gardening in particular became a lifelong hobby and she was known for her home baked bread. During these years she and Jerry also spent two years as house parents for the A Better Chance (ABC) program, living in Andover for those years. She was always a ready listener and support for the guys who lived with them. As all three children entered school full time she went back to teaching in the Gloucester School system in elementary schools particularly Veteran's Memorial and Fuller. They moved to Magnolia and took up tennis and golf and enjoyed many adventures with friends such as skiing in the Alps and out west. She was also a dedicated caregiver to both her mother and mother in law in their final years. Petie was always available to her children's friends too and would happily listen to their news or help with anything needed. After retirement they moved to Cape Coral, Florida where they expanded their circle of friends among their fellow golf club members and among the boating crowd as they explored the waters and beaches of Florida. Collecting seashells was a treat and her grandchildren enjoyed coming to Florida and spending time with her in the pool and ocean and at the farmer's market. Her granddaughters who lived nearby found her a source of love and support as well. They would also take trips back up to Massachusetts to stay with her son there and see old friends. For several years, after her diagnosis with Alzheimer's they stayed in Florida where they had a circle of friends and her son and daughter in law who helped tremendously but a few years back they moved to Boise, Idaho near her daughter. She was cared for tenderly by her husband and was able to enjoy a visit from her son and family from Massachusetts there as well. Her death came quickly and peacefully at the end and she was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister Peg. Her sister Jane survives her as well as her husband Jerry and her children Laurel McGuire (Jim), Peter Lake (Cathy) and Ian Lake (LeeAnn). She is also survived by her grandchildren Brittany, Heather, Meghan, Nathan, Jenna, Quinn, and step grandchild Katy. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. A time for remembrance may be held at a later date but for now there is a memorial site at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com and petielake.anhonoredlife.com for those who wish to add their thoughts and respects. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette, Idaho.