Mary Lanman

Obituary of Mary Edgarton Lanman

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Obituary for Mary E. Lanman Mary (Polly) Edgarton Lanman of Duxbury, Massachusetts died peacefully on February 1, 2025 surrounded by her family; she was 94 years old. Born in Boston, she attended Concord Academy and Tufts University’s Elliot Pearson School of Child Study. In 1960, she married Thomas H. Lanman Jr and moved to Duxbury.

Polly, as she was known by all, taught kindergarten prior to taking on the challenge of raising her own 4 children. She returned to teaching and was a favorite substitute to many children in Duxbury public schools from the late 1970s through the early 2000’s.

Her family was her priority, and she was always supporting one or another of her kids’ activities and passions. From being a Cub Scout den mother, to writing ribbons at swim meets, to attending band concerts and play performances to chaperoning Girl Scout camping trips, she did it all with a smile.

While her family came first, community was a close second. Throughout her life, she was actively involved in a number of community organizations, often in a leadership role. Those she served over many years and even decades included First Parish Church of Duxbury where she was a member of the Parish Committee and its Treasurer, the Duxbury Interfaith Council, the Duxbury Yacht Club where she was a Director, the Town of Duxbury where she was a poll worker and assisted with Town meetings, and the King Caesar House where she was a docent.

Being Nana to her 14 grandchildren brought her endless joy and she was happiest when they were visiting, whether that was for a Wednesday night dinner, Christmas vacations, or best of all, multiple weeks during the summer. She taught them all to play Parcheesi and Yahtzee and they learned that she came to play – and didn’t hesitate to beat them when she could.

Throughout her life she loved and participated in sports. She played field hockey in high school, sailed in the summers and skied Cannon Mountain in the winters. She was an avid, lifelong tennis player and played regularly into her eighties. Polly also loved watching Patriots games and followed all of Boston’s professional teams. She always loved to travel. Before she was married, she drove across the country with friends multiple times. Later she enjoyed cruises including through the Panama Canal, down the Mississippi, and along rivers in Europe. She enjoyed many trips to Bermuda with family, visiting Mickey at Disney World, and month long stays in Spain with friends. She was always up for an adventure.

Polly was kind, unfailingly cheerful and gave great hugs, and while she was not known for her cooking, she was absolutely known for her brownies. “Polly’s Brownies” were delicious, often made for and given to friends and family, and for years were quickly sold out at the annual First Parish Church Summer Fair. Polly, her brownies, her generosity, her love and her laughter will be greatly missed by her family and all who loved her.

Polly is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Mary Edgarton, her 4 brothers and her husband of 36 years, Thomas H. Lanman Jr. She is survived by her 4 children Thomas (Tim) H. Lanman III and his fiancée Stacy of Cotuit, MA, Pam Lanman Guzzone of Columbia MD, Sandy Lanman Anderson and her husband Ross, of Whitefish, MT and Peter G. Lanman and his wife Cherus of Duxbury; 14 grandchildren Tommy and Harry Lanman, J., Greer and Grant Guzzone, Carly, Marty, Bradlee and Claire Anderson, and Kelsey, P.J., Josh, Frederick and Gardner Lanman; 2 great grandchildren Lainey and Stella Guzzone; her many cousins, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many friends and the caring staff at the Village of Duxbury.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a gift of your time or treasure to the charity of your choice.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Mary
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Shepherd Funeral & Cremation Service - Kingston
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Mary Lanman

In Loving Memory

Mary Lanman

1930 - 2025

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