Mary K. (Kingsbury) Staples

Mary (Kingsbury) Staples of Providence, RI and Freedom, NH, died peacefully at home on October 15, 2023 at the age of 102. She was the wife of the late Richard F. Staples, Sr., married over 65 years before his death in 2008. Born in Portland, CT in 1921, she was a 1942 graduate of Wellesley College, and went on to a life of raising a family in Barrington, RI and dedicating herself to a lifetime of volunteer work and helping others through her church, and with various community charities and schools in Barrington and Providence. She was also an active member of many book groups, film groups and the venerable Medway Lunch Bunch, and she closely followed news of the state, nation and the world.

Mary was a much-beloved sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was actively involved with her family and many dear friends throughout her life. She is survived by her three sons and their wives: Richard, Jr. and Betsy of Barrington, Benjamin and Deborah of Ipswich, MA, and Edward “Ted” and Kate of Barrington. She is also survived by grandchildren, Eric, Kathryne, Evan, Georgia, Sam, Walker, Mae and Emma; and great-grandchildren, Ella, Thomas, Reid, Amalia, Joanna, and Kaylin. She was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur F. Kingsbury, and her beloved sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Morrow, plus many others she loved over the years.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, family members request that memorial donations be made to The Staples Family Fund, addressing food and housing insecurity, ℅ The Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 or to a favorite charity of your choice.