Mary E. (Graves) Gilley. Walter Francis Cousins.

Carrie Jones

just now

“People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks.

We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or at a cost of $500 for people mourning. We’re free.

If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know, and we’ll share it here for you. We will also share obituaries that have been in other places, too. Just let us know.

By request we’ve started sharing obituaries from throughout Hancock County. This is a bit of a bigger lift for us, but we’ll try to keep doing it if it’s something that you all want. We all are so connected here.

---

Mary E. (Graves) Gilley

Southwest Harbor and Douglas, Mass.

Mary E. (Graves) Gilley, 94, died Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at Christopher House of Worcester, Mass. Her husband of 66 years, Leverett W. “Wayne” Gilley, died May 11, 2019. She was born Dec. 13, 1931, the daughter of Lawris N. “Rip” and Bessie L. (Haynes) Graves. She was raised in Northeast Harbor and graduated from Gilman High School, Class of 1950.

Mary was an excellent homemaker, overseeing her children and husband through the years. She helped as a caregiver for several neighborhood children as well. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and cooking, but her specialty was baking. Beautiful desserts, including her famous Danish puff pastry, regularly came out of her kitchen. As a longtime member of the Second Congregational Church in Douglas, Mass., faith was important to Mary. She was a member of their Women’s Federation and helped with annual holiday fairs.

Mary built a wonderful life for her family in Douglas where they lived for 54 years and lived several years in Webster. Her heart always belonged to Downeast Maine, however. She loved summers there, visiting with family, reminiscing, and creating family memories of her own. She will be remembered as a kind, affectionate wife, a loving mother, a caring sister, and a friend to all.

Mary is survived by her three children, Richard W. “Rich” Gilley and wife Diane of Milford, Jay R. Gilley and wife Linda of Douglas, and Julie A. Harris of Webster; two grandchildren, Brian Gilley and wife Michelle and Traci Martin and husband Conor; two great-grandchildren, Ivy Martin and Mia Gilley; two sisters, Jean G. Fernald and Sheila G. Smallidge both of Mount Desert; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Marion S. Peckham, Lawris E. Graves, John H. Graves, Thomas R. Graves, Walter “Junie” P. Schurman Jr., and Richard C. Schurman.

Memorial Services were held in Douglas, Mass., on Sept. 12, 2026, at Jackman Funeral Home, 7 Mechanic St., Douglas. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, at Forest Hill Cemetery, Northeast Harbor next to her beloved husband Wayne.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Second Congregational Church Food Pantry, 289 Main St., Douglas, MA 01516.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.

---

Walter Francis Cousins

Ellsworth and Bar Harbor

September 5, 1941 – September 12, 2026

Walter Francis Cousins, 85, passed away on September 12, 2026, at his home with his wife by his side. He was born on September 5, 1941, in Bar Harbor, the son of Theresa E. (Murphy) and George L. Cousins.

Walter served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 and a half years, and then spent 10 and a half years in the National Guard, retiring as master sergeant. He served two years in Vietnam. After retiring he worked as a finished carpenter for many companies. Walter loved gardening, fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling. One of the things Walt was known and appreciated for was his extremely blunt sense of humor. While this could be a bit shocking at times, it did usually evoke laughter and could lighten the mood in difficult situations. Walt’s perspective, uniquely his own, could be mischievous and entertaining. One never knew what was coming next, and he loved to keep us guessing and often laughing with his jokes and stories of adventures from his younger days.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie; a sister, Diane Cousins; a son, Christopher Stefanik; a daughter-in-law, Trischia Gostony; a stepson, Sean Savoy Sr.; five grandchildren, Mihkayla Rountree and husband, Andrew, Travis and Nathan Stefanik, Chelsea Savoy and wife, Chelsea, and Sean E. Savoy Jr.; a great-grandson, Callan Rountree; and nieces and nephews. Walter was predeceased by his parents; a special brother, Leroy; a sister, Patricia Bickford; brother-in-law, Elliott Bickford; and a special cousin, Richard Hamor.

There will be no funeral services, per Walter’s request. Donations to Union Congregational Church of Ellsworth Falls would be welcome. Walter will be buried at Acadia National Cemetery in Jonesboro, Maine, at a later date. Condolences may be expressed at acadiacremation.com.