Mary Derby
Mary Jo Derby, 69, of Lebanon, TN, formerly of Marlborough and Keene, NH, passed peacefully with her daughter, Tammy, and grandson, Declan, by her side on Sunday, February 9, 2025, while in hospice care.
She is survived by her daughter, Tammy LaPoint of Lebanon, TN; son, James LaPoint, Jr. of Keene, NH; grandsons, Riley LaPoint and Declan O’Brien; sisters, Kathleen (Kenneth) Durward of Stoddard, NH; Ann Marie (Tom) Littlefield of N. Berwick, ME; brothers, John W. (Laura) Silk, III of Harrisville, NH, and Edward (Sue) Silk of Keene, NH; her beloved furry companions, Koko and Tiger as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is proceeded in death by her parents John and Emma Silk, Jr., and husbands, Sam R. Baskin (2005) and Kevin E. Derby (2014).
Mary went to Marlborough, NH, schools, graduating in 1973. After working for Roberts-Hart, CDR Footwear, and MPB in Keene, she moved to the Nashville area in 1989. Shortly after arriving in Nashville, Mary began her over 34-year career in the musical instrument industry as a Luthier for Gibson Guitar. She met several rock and country stars during her tenure. Her dedication to quality led her to be a highly-skilled craftswoman taking exceptional pride in her trade as well as being known as the ‘binding’ of her small, tight-knit group crafting mandolins.
Mary was known as the ‘mom’ and as such always kept her snack cabinet stocked. She leaves a huge hole with her Gibson Family. Mary loved chimichangas and queso, never giving up a chance to go to lunch with her daughter and grandson. She was proud to be Nana to her grandsons as they brought her much joy, love, and laughter.
Anyone who knew Mary will miss her presence, telling it like it was, and her untold generosity.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 10am at the Community Center at Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet, TN. A second Celebration of Life will be held over the summer in New Hampshire for family and friends in that region. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
This obituary was published by Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
