Mary M. Jensen

Mary M. (Pennington) Jensen, 72, of Laconia died Friday, July 20, 2007 at home surrounded by family following a short battle with cancer. She was born in Illinois and was raised in California. Mary moved to Salem in 1970 and had been a resident of Laconia since 1973. Her greatest accomplishment was changing the laws in California, which allowed all special needs children to attend regular schools and classes. This instrumental change in law spurred transformation throughout the country. She spent 11 years working in the New Hampshire State school system and although retired, she continued to work in the same field in the Lakes Region Community Services with special needs people for another 16 years. Mary's hobbies were playing bridge on Tuesdays, reading, dolls, sewing, love of animals, and bargain shopping for her family. She is survived by her children, Sherryl and her husband, Thomas Sharpe of Salem, Steven Jensen of Laconia, Patricia and her husband, Todd Hopkins of Laconia; her grandchildren, Andrya White, Tanita Landry, Alexander White, Shannan Landry, Devin Sharpe, Thomas Sharpe Jr., Bartholomew Sharpe, Megan Maker; her great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Lucius, Raquel, and Roman. She is also survived by her sisters, Eleanor and her husband Robert Marshall of El Cerrito, California, their children David and Paul; Penelope and her husband, Gary Peck of Newberry Park, California, their children Holly and Phillip. Services will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2007, 11:00am at St. James Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 876 North Main Street, Laconia NH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memorium to either NH Special Olympics, 650 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101 or Community Health and Hospice, 780 North Main Street Laconia, NH 003246. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is in charge of arrangements. To view the on line memorial please go to www.csnh.com.