Mary Stuart Cameron

Exeter - Mary Stuart Cameron, of Exeter, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Exeter Hospital. She was 85 years old. Born in Redbank New Jersey on September 14th 1940 and brought up largely in New York City, it was like my cousin Mary Stuart Cameron led parallel lives; when in the US, she was American but, the moment she stepped on Scottish soil - which was often - she was Scottish in all her thoughts and in all her ways. Mary's mother and my grandmother were sisters, the youngest and eldest of a large family. Mary was of Scottish parentage - both Mary's father, Duncan Cameron - and her mother - Kitty Flora MacRae, were from the small island of Benbecula in the Western Isles of Scotland and had immigrated to the United States in the first quarter of the 20th century, albeit some 20 years apart. An only child and growing up in New York City, Mary was surrounded by 3 maternal aunts and their families - my grandmother's sisters - and they all lived close by each other, for much of the time. Audubon Avenue, St. Nicholas Avenue and W.165th St., Washington Heights, that was their area and near the area which Mary's father policed for the New York Police Department. Indeed, at one point, Mary's family and all her 3 aunts lived diagonally opposite each other and could wave to each other from their windows. Things were not so cosy though if they fell out - but that never lasted long - they were a very tight group. Mary, her mother and aunts would worship at St. Rose of Lima RC Church on W. 165th St. Mary's father was not a Catholic but was fully supportive of her Catholic upbringing and organized Mary's enrollment at St. Rose of Lima Elementary School in the next street, as well as at Catholic High School. Mary's first experience of formal education, however, was in her parents' home area in Scotland, where she spent 3 years as a child. It was that time - these formative years - that were Mary's foundation and gave her interests and a perspective, which would last a lifetime. There, Mary was immersed in the Scottish Gaelic language and island culture - a language which, it could be said, increased in importance in the final phase of her life, as she moved more and more towards the language of her childhood. It had been her parents' intention to remain in Scotland at that point, but Mary's mother's parents in Benbecula had by that time passed away and she missed her sisters and bathtubs, so they returned to New York, eventually settling in the Bronx. Mary made many friends at High School - but she did not actually like school - despite her father's best efforts. Going to school and being told what to do was never Mary's idea of a good time. On leaving High School, Mary worked in administration in the Rockefeller Centre - and that wasn't much better! It was on joining Eastern Airlines in the mid 1960s that Mary found what she really wanted to do for the rest of her life. This took her to live in Atlanta and Miami, as well as her home city of New York. From Eastern Airlines, Mary then went on to work for Delta Airlines as Senior Cabin Crew, living for a time in Boston, as well as Exeter, New Hampshire for several years in the 1990s and the early 2000s. Mary's mother Kitty Flora - to whom she was devoted - lived close by till she passed away in 2001. On retirement, Mary moved back down to New York City and though the city had changed for her with all family gone, she got involved in all it offered, especially the arts - and opera and ballet in particular. Puccini was a particular favorite. This also provided the opportunity to see more of her very dear childhood friend - Janet Johnstone Lovecchio - who Mary had known from those early years in Scotland and who had, years before, settled in Brooklyn. Janet was loyal and understanding, a truly genuine friend and it was friendship which lasted a lifetime. Those who knew Mary well, knew that another of her main interests was seafood and, when the lure of lobster rolls became too much, Mary moved back up to coastal New Hampshire and to RiverWoods Exeter Retirement Community, where she spent some contented years in good care. Mary had travelled the world - from Australia to Brazil, South Africa, the Galapagos Islands, India, Hawaii, Japan - and everywhere in between. She often took her mother on vacation trips to Europe and she took her to Scotland, regularly. Mary's devotion to her mother was total, in every way. Paris was a particular favorite on European trips and Mary was competent in the language. Despite the distance, Mary and her mother were very much part of our lives, growing up. They visited often and brought my brother Alasdair and I toys from Macy's and they wore nail polish and beautiful clothes. They were the picture of glamour. Not surprisingly, there were some tricky moments in a flying career which spanned over 40 years. I once asked Mary if she had ever been nervous during a flight. 'Once or twice,' she replied, 'over some areas of the Pacific.' Mary had a real sense of calm, which came from a deep faith. That was much in evidence too when, stuck on the rush-hour New York subway for 7 hours in complete darkness during the Great North East Blackout of 1965, she was subsequently asked by my own father, 'Were you not afraid?' 'No,' she replied, 'I wasn't. I had my Rosary and I said it. Several times.' Mary was 25 at the time and that was the kind of faith that upheld her throughout her life. Mary had a fortunate escape when she got caught up in a particularly severe earthquake in Istanbul, which demolished much of the city center, as well as part of the hotel Mary was staying in. It was 1999 and she was flying the Istanbul route. Mary was in her hotel room and quick thinking saw her crawl under a table, as everything shook and broke all around her. She told me that it was as well that she was awake - had she been in bed, she would have most probably slept through the earthquake and the consequences would possibly have been fatal. At such times, Mary always had her faith to rely on. Modest, highly astute and good-natured, Mary was also very generous, welcoming and hospitable - especially towards Scottish visitors who came to her in New York and Exeter, previously. Her homes were always like being back in Scotland and one could easily forget that one had crossed 3000 miles of ocean. Partial to a bit of mischief and good fun, Mary could talk to anyone about anything and deal with any situation which was, no doubt, of much use in her professional life. Mary was very happy to act in loco parentis for my elder son Ronald, when he attended High School in Pennsylvania. Mary would be at school concerts and events and sat proudly at his graduation. He spent many weekends at her apartment in Sutton Place South and she was even happy to take on two teenage boys in New York, when he and his younger brother Allan would visit on their own. Mary's frequent visits to Scotland were much enjoyed by her and by us. She never missed a party in Edinburgh - birthdays, graduations, New Year - or just a straightforward visit, Mary would be the life and soul. The last 2 or 3 years of Mary's life were especially challenging, with decline coming on fairly rapidly. The person who did most for Mary during that time was Mary Panangakis, who had nursed Mary 's mother over 20 years previously. Mary Panangakis has been a Godsend in every sense of the word did more for Mary than many a loving and loyal daughter would do for her mother. She considered Mary 's every need and - very importantly - Mary 's spiritual needs too. She was devoted to Mary's welfare and, despite her own family commitments, she made her way over to RiverWoods 3, 4 or more times per week - and for lengthy periods. Mary Panangakis also spent most of the last 10 days of Mary's life by her bedside in the Exeter Hospital. Her consistently strong support for Mary was immeasurable - and given with such generosity and goodness. A gift from God for sure. Mary was fortunate to be under the pastoral care of St. Michael 's RC Church Exeter and also the prayerful presence of Fr. Matt Mason in her final hours. If I were asked to sum up my cousin Mary in one word, it would be 'unusual' and if I were asked how she would like to be remembered, I would quote the words of St. Monica, 'All I ask of you is that you remember me at the foot of God's altar.' I will conclude with a prayer in Scottish Gaelic - a prayer which Mary would have known from her young days - invoking the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit in life and His strength and salvation, on our way to God 's Kingdom. Veni Sancte Spiritus A Spioraid Naoimh, ar n-àrd-threise, Thig bho ghrian-chathair do ghlòir, Sgaoil gach ceò tha gar cur iomrall, 'S leig soillsein dheth d' sholas oirnn. Thig O Athair nan dìol-dèirce, Do gach feumach sinn do làmh; An làmh bhon tig gach rogha gibhte, Soilleirich gach cridhe dall. A Rìgh na comhfhurtachd 's an t-sòlais, Bu tu Aoidh an àigh don anam; Chan fhairich e teas no ganntar, 'S e nad làimh-sa triall gun aineol. 'S tu bheireadh furtachd agus tàmh, Don phiantach a bhios fo sgìths; A' mhal' air an laigh am pràmh, 'S ann agads' tha sòlas dì. O Sholuis as àille snuadh, Na bi 'n dubhar oirnn nar càs; Is ann an crìdh' do chreideach gaoil, Beòthaich teine caomh do ghràidh. Gun do chòmhnadh-sa, 'Dhia thrèin, Chan eil sgoinn am mac an duine; Chan eil ceann gun lochd fon ghrèin, 'S ann nad mhèinn-sa tha sinn uile. Glan-sa dhìnn gach uile thruailleachd, Uisgich le 'd ghràsan ar tart; Leighis gach anam a tha leòinte, Strìochd na rag-mhuinealach rid reachd. Taisich nèimh a' chridhe chruaidh, Bi 'd chairt-iùil anns gach gàbhadh; 'S do na creidich a tha nad earbsa, Thoir seachd tìodhlaicean do ghràidh. Treòraich na creidich rim beò, 'S na trèig iad aig uair am bàis; Sàbhail an anam bho phian, 'S gum meal iad do shìth gu bràth. Fois shiorraidh thoir dhith, a Thighearna Agus solas nach dìobar deàrrsadh oirre, Gu robh a fois ann an sìth. Amen. Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Mary for a period of visitation on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Saint Michael's Church, 9 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH 03833. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place immediate following the visitation at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and Mary will be laid to rest with her parents at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 W. Stevens Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary's memory to the New England Young Fishermen's Alliance by clicking here.

Mary Stuart Cameron

September 14, 1940 - July 14, 2026