BENNINGTON, Vt. — Mary Elizabeth (Root) Mollica, 93, longtime resident of Union Street in Bennington, died peacefully September 4, 2017, at The Centers For Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington following a long illness.

Mary was born in Rutland, Vermont, on December 6, 1923, the daughter of Marjorie and Henry Root. She received her early education in Rutland and Bennington, graduating from Colby Junior College and later getting her Med Tech education at Duke University School of Medicine. Her education led her to become a lab technician and secretary in the Pathology Department at hospitals in Portland, Maine, White Plains, N.Y., and eventually Bennington. Mary also worked in research at The University of Miami School of Medicine.

Mary was married to Jerome Bryant, Earl Saunders and then to John Mollica, all of whom predeceased her. She is survived by her beloved children, Elizabeth Bryant and her husband Stephen Berens, Bruce Saunders and his wife Jessica Anderson, and Douglas Saunders and his longtime companion Tracy Knights; her grandchildren Amanda Saunders and Nicholas Saunders; as well as many wonderful friends.

Mary was predeceased by her brothers, William A. Root II and John Drysdale Root.

Mary was an active member of her community, including affiliations with The Gray Ladies at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, the Better Bennington Corporation, the Bennington Free Library and the Bennington Garden Club to name a few. She was a longtime member of St. Peter's Church in Bennington. She was interested in genealogy, knitting, politics, and reading.

But she was especially proud of her membership in The National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Vermont and the Vermont Folklife Center. Mary made trips to Holland each year that she was able to do so, and took great pride in her participation in the Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony at The Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, where her brother, who with his comrades gave his life in service to his country, is buried. Mary devoted much of her time and energy to assure that we always remember those who gave their lives for us in countries other than our own.

Funeral notice: At Mary's request, there will be no calling hours or funeral. However, friends are invited to attend a memorial graveside service on Monday, September 11, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Bennington Park Lawn Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to The Bennington Free Library or Bennington County Meals on Wheels c/o Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201.