Marian Elizabeth Mendham

Marian Elizabeth (nee Banting) Mendham Marian ("Marnie") Elizabeth Mendham, 82, of Lyndeborough passed away peacefully after a long period of declining health on November 9th, 2008. Born in Madison , Wisconsin on January 31st, 1926, Marian was the daughter of the late Albert Banting and the late Gladys Banting. Her family later moved to Hamilton , Ontario , where she attended McMaster University and studied Honors Latin and Greek. Upon completion of her college studies in 1948, Marian married William ("Bud") Mendham. While in Ontario , they had 3 children; she also received her teacher certification there. She later lived in the Philadelphia area and in Groton , Massachusetts before settling down in Lyndeborough in the 1960's. Marian enjoyed her home life as a wife and mother. Within the community, she assisted with the local Girl Scout troop and as a school crossing guard. She also worked for a short time at PVA in Wilton , New Hampshire and for the U.S. Census Bureau. Marian delighted in traveling both near and far and learning more about the world around her. There were summer camping trips in Vermont, visits to historical and natural sites throughout the East Coast, and theater trips to New York City just to name a few. She also was a regular at the Stratton Players in Fitchburg , where her husband served as Lighting Director for many years. In addition, she greatly enjoyed spending time and traveling with her dear friends Patricia Storm of Milford, New Hampshire, and Ariel O'Neil, Shirley McNamara, and the late Eileen Goodfellow all of Canada. Their journeys took them to many fascinating places throughout the U.S. , Canada , and Europe . She also loved going back to Hamilton , Ontario to see her family and friends and vacationing at her seaside villa in Paphos , Cyprus At home, Marian enjoyed many of the simple and quieter pleasures of life: decorating and relaxing in her Colonial home, puttering in the garden, reading literature, sipping coffee, antiques, crossword puzzles, music, and keeping up-to-date with the political and cultural world around her. She supported and gave generously to a number of charitable causes, including environmental causes, endangered animals and wildlife charities, as well as charities helping those less fortunate. She is survived by her 3 children and their families, Edward ("Ted") Brian Mendham and his wife Lise Mendham of Lyndeborough, Natalie ("Talie") Anne Mendham also of Lyndeborough, and Tracy Alison Mendham of Swanzey, New Hampshire. She also is survived by her older sister, Barbara Martin of Ancaster , Ontario , and younger brother, Robert (Bob) Banting also of Ancaster and two nephews. She was a loving grandmother to her 3 grandchildren: Alexander and Stephen Taliadoros of Lyndeborough and Joel Estes of Cambridge , MA . She also had numerous relatives and friends living in the U.S. , Canada , England , and Cyprus . Marian was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her nephew, and son-in-law, Chris Taliadoros. Marian will be dearly missed by her family and friends; her independent and generous spirit and lifetime love of learning were an inspiration to many. A celebration of her life for family members and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider spending some time with a special loved one or making a donation to a charity of your choice. Marian's family would also like to extend their appreciation to the entire staff at Harborside Northwood in Bedford for the excellent and professional care she received there for several weeks before her passing.