Mary Louise Barnes, 75, of North, died April 21, 2011 at her home surrounded by family and friends.

Mary was born in New York to the late Matthew D. and Madeline Koehler Barnes. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from the College of New Rochelle and spent several years in cancer research at Sloan-Kettering Institute and Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceutical Company. She returned to school earning her master’s degree in marine biology from C.W. Post College of New York State University.

While visiting in Gloucester in the late summer of 1973 she accepted a teaching position at St. Clare Walker Middle School in Middlesex County. She enjoyed her students and the staff, but took some time for golfing, fishing and crabbing with friends and family and mowing her neighbors’ lawns. Her smile, sense of humor and care for the creatures of the earth will be missed by all.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Joan, Claudia and Emma, her caregivers for the last 3½ years, for the love, kindness and support given to Mary. Additional appreciation is due to the staff of Riverside Hospice who made it possible for Mary to spend her final days at her home.

She is survived by sister, Betty Zahn and husband George of Gloucester; nephews, Peter Zahn and wife Penny of Severna Park, Md., George Zahn and wife Lisa of St Cloud, Minn.; nieces, Ann Zahn of Chesterfield, Martha Zahn Goodman and husband Warren of Marietta, Ga., Catherine Zahn Helwig of Williamsburg; aunt, Muriel Durkin of Freehold, N.J., and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, Matthew, Mark, Nick, Zach, Madeline, Cole, Elijah, Rose and Caroline.

A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by the Reverend James Cowles, will be held on Thursday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church, Gloucester. The family will receive friends at the church before mass beginning at 10 o’clock and again at the reception following the service in the church hall. Interment at Visitation Church Cemetery in Middlesex will be private.

Contributions in her memory can be made to the Building Fund of the Church of St. Therese or the "Bread for Life" community food pantry at the church, 6262 Main Street, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point.