Mary Marjorie Arnold Bentley (Mead) went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Feb. 12, 2012. Mary was born Aug. 11, 1919, in Kellogg, to Harry Emmett Arnold and Maude Hattie Nearing.

On June 14, 1937, she married Fred Wilson Bentley. Fred passed away in 1984 and she later married Gordon Mead of Sandpoint. She was preceded in death by her first husband Fred, daughter Patricia May, second husband Gordon, four sisters Grace, Alice, Ruth, Margaret and four brothers William, Bud, Richard and Kenneth.

She is survived by her brother Robert (Bonnie) Arnold, of Prichard; children Sandra (Joe) Watts of Coeur d'Alene, Fred (Cindy) Bentley, of Wallace, Mary Nutt, of Post Falls, Barbara Bentley of New York, and Gregory Bentley, of Wallace, grandchildren William May, April Moulton, of New Hampshire, Richard May, of Kentucky, Jim May of Roy, Wash., Kerri Holling, of Wallace, Amy Hill, of Athol, Mike Nutt, of Post Falls, Jennifer Deering, of Seattle, Jodi Bentley, of Osburn, 18 great grandchildren, two step children, and two step grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary grew up in Kellogg, Silver King and "up the river" (Coeur d'Alene River) and attended schools at Carter and Sunnyside. After marrying Fred, they lived in French Gulch, Kingston and then moved to Wallace, where she remained until entering Four Seasons Assisted Living in Coeur d'Alene in July 2011.

Mom (Gram) was deeply loved by her children and grandchildren and will be missed by all. There is a huge void in our hearts but we know that she is now singing in the heavenly choir. She was an accomplished homemaker, seamstress, baker, chef, and carpenter. When her children were growing up, Mom always arose early (usually about 4 a.m.) to sew, bake or work on other projects. She sewed for her children as well as all of the neighborhood children. She was famous for her Parkerhouse rolls, cinnamon rolls and Christmas baked goods. She was always willing to help anyone in need and later worked in nursing homes and as a home companion to the elderly and disabled. At her doctor's appointments she would entertain the patients as well as the staff by singing (usually "Let Me call You Sweetheart" or "The Old Rugged Cross") and was known as "the adorable singing little lady."

Funeral Services were held Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. Please visit Mary's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.