Mary Sarah Bales

Mary Sarah Bales, age 100, born May 6, 1925 in Grant County, Kansas to the late George and Charlotte Bales, passed away at her home in Hamden, Connecticut on August 14, 2025. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Lorie Hatcher and Doris Kimbrel, brother, Calvin Bales, and half-siblings, Fred Bales, Geneva Larkin, Verl and Melvin Larkin.
Survived by her niece, Charlotte Sroka (John), grandniece, Karen Wesman (Holly) of Foxboro, Massachusetts, Janet Sroka, Steven Wheeler of Meriden, Connecticut, great-grandniece and nephew, Sophia and Ryan Wheeler, nephew, Rick Kimbrel (Lanna) of Winfield, Kansas, grandnephew, Darrick Kimbrel, niece, Heather Pike (Jon), nephew, Kent Kimbrel, nephew, Bill Hatcher (Marcia), grandniece, Jessica Hatcher Scatlin, Will Hatcher of Satanta, Kansas, and several grandnieces and nephews across the states.
Mary graduated from Santa High School in 1944 and attended business school in Denver, Colorado. She spent a brief time working in Washington, DC before moving to New Haven, Connecticut in February 1954. She enjoyed traveling, hiking, canoeing, biking, cross-country skiing, and square dancing with Buttons and Bows. She visited all 50 states, Europe, and hiked the Milford Track in New Zealand. One of her favorite accomplishments was climbing all of the 4,000-footers in New England. She was also a member of the New Haven Hiking Club and Huff and Puffs for many years.
Friends may visit with Mary’s family on Thursday, August 21st from 10:30-11:00 a.m. in the Hamden Plains United Methodist Church, 15 Church Street, Hamden, Connecticut. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the Hamden Plains United Methodist Church. To send condolences, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.