Mary Helen Long Saunders, 102, of Leonardtown, Maryland died peacefully December 8, 2011 at St. Mary's Nursing Center. Born February 24, 1909 in Bushwood, Maryland she was the daughter of the late John Henry Long and Mary (Molly) Hardin Long. She was the wife of the late Joseph A. Saunders Sr. whom she married May 6, 1941 at Sacred Heart Church in Bushwood, Maryland.

She is survived by her son, Joseph (Al) Saunders Jr., and his wife, Mary L. Saunders, and three grandchildren, Anne, Teresa, and Joseph P. Saunders.

She was preceded in death by all of her siblings, Lucy Long Pogue, Nellie Schuhart, Hattie Long Fix, Josephine Clay, Irene Rawley, Mary Evelyn Clark, Elsie Long, and Calvert Long.

Mrs. Saunders was a 1929 graduate of River Springs High School in Avenue, Maryland. She moved to Leonardtown in 1940 to work at the County Court House. After her marriage to Mr. Saunders, they together ran the North End General Store in Leonardtown until 1958 when Elmer Hall took over the business and eventually renamed the store to Hall's Shoes and Clothing. In 1968 the business was moved and the old store was demolished because of the widening of Maryland Route 5 and Hollywood Road. Mrs. Saunders continued to live on Saunders Corner until she became a resident of St. Mary's Nursing Center in 2005.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the Brinsfield Funeral Home from 5 - 8:00 p.m., with prayers at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church. Interment will follow at St Aloysius Cemetery. Pallbears are Kennedy Abell, Ernie Bell, Bill Combs, Mike Lacey, Robert, Steele Pogue and Mike Thompson.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Nursing Center, 21580 Peabody St., Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.