Close friends Clint Severson and Conni Ahart created the Mary Marley Memorial Scholarship at Minot State University. Clint is a graduate of the university and has created the Severson Entrepreneurship Academy as part of the business school.

Conni shared Mary's story with the audience during a special banquet on May 3rd in Minot, ND. Jamin Heller was this year's recipient of the scholarship. Conni's words definitely came from her heart!

Thank you, Clint and Conni for honoring Mary in such a special way. She would be so proud!

When Mary married me, she became an instant Grandmother. I always told people that it wasn't so bad be a Grandfather but being married to a Grandmother was quite different.

Mary enjoyed the role especially with stepdaughter, Wendy and Wendy's husband Troy Orf. Their two sons, Joseph and Jonathan brought much joy into our lives even though they were several hundred miles away. It has been fun watching these two boys grow and now with Joseph in college, brings a different joy as he marches towards adulthood.

Wendy and Mary had a special bond. Wendy always called Mary, "Mom". I know that Mary will be greatly missed by this special family that she inherited through me.

Mary,
  One of the best times I had running was when we went to the Los Gatos Trail on a very sunny morning. Julie and I met you and Monty in Los Gatos for my first LGT adventure. What a great experience and thank you so much for showing us where to park :)

I guess the most memorable aspect was that no matter the place on the trail, Monty would remember all the "snack" spots. When we went past the "cat canyon", it seemed that Monty remembered where the cat food bowls were placed with a GPS-like precision. He pretty much doesn't let anyone get in his way when it comes to those "found" treats.

You were also walking with a vengeance! Julie kept pace with you as I jogged up and back to the three of you but my goodness, and despite the heat, you kept trucking and determined to finish that trail walk! This is what I call a force of nature - on-going without pause :)

Mary, we will see you again and enjoy some more walk/jogs and this time there won't be any stopping (except for Monty's snack runs). We love you!

Adam, Julie, Oscar, Valentine, Gato-de-Oro, Kitty Girl

(P.S. - watch out for Kitty Girl, she bites!)