MADISON, Conn. — Mary MacArthur died peacefully on Sept. 14, 2011, after a long and admirable battle with cancer.

She was born Dec. 3, 1946, in Great Bend. Mary was a graduate of the University of Kansas. She was a dedicated teacher, local businesswoman and active volunteer in her community.

Among her many skills in the kitchen as chef and hostess, we recall savoring many of her outstanding homemade pies. We have been profoundly blessed by her presence, and she has entered the Kingdom of God. Mary was a devoted wife of 42 years to loving husband John, and mother of daughter Jody and son Jake.

She leaves behind John of Madison; Jody, Chuck and adoring grandchildren Spencer and Annika, Atkinson, N.H.; son Jake, Seattle, Wash.; sister Nancy and brother-in-law Jack Curtis, Hays; sister Cathy and brother-in-law Bryan Ronck, Radnor, Pa.; sister-in-law Marilyn Suellentrop, Plano, Texas; brother-in-law, Hugh MacArthur, Sausalito, Calif.; brother-in-law David MacArthur, Newburg, Ind.; five nieces; six nephews; numerous cousins; and scores of friends.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and brother Jim.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Hawley Lincoln Funeral Home, 1315 Boston Post Road, Guilford, Conn., (203) 453-5790. A funeral Mass and celebration of her life is scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Margaret Church, 39 Academy Street, Madison, Conn., (203) 245-7301.

A private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, kindly select either of two charities which were particularly important to Mary: Circle of Care, Box 32, Wilton, CT 06897 and The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, 77 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.