It took me a long time to be ready to leave a tribute on this site. I think it had a lot to do with denial. Mar and I have been very close for many years. We spent hours talking late at night, (often face to face during many visits to Florida) but mostly on FaceTime or on the phone in the last few years. We could talk for hours. I think we understood each other and enjoyed each others company. Mar and I had had a special bond, and I think she had a similar bond with many others. Mar had the ability to be your best friend and ally. She was understanding and never judged. She trusted almost everyone. I did my best to change that and never could. Mar had many blessings, her girls, grandchildren and all the animals. She was also very thankful for her life partner Rick. He was a great person and worked very hard to fulfill so many of her dreams! Every couple days I get the urge to call and talk to her and I often do, just in a different way. I know I will never forget her. I can't ever remember being mad at her for anything. She touched my life! Mar meant a lot too many people. I feel lucky to have had her as my sister, but she will be missed most as my friend. I love you Mar and I will see you later!

Aunt Mar was one of a kind. She had the biggest heart and was so down to earth and never judged anyone , she had such a pure heart.

When people met her for the first time they felt like they had known her forever.

Her love for animals is what I’ll always remember, we had that in common and always loved to talk about dogs and horses together. I’ll miss our FaceTimes with my dad, Aunt Diana’s, Uncle John and my sisters. I’ll always remember sleepovers at aunt Mar’s as a kid, her love for animals, her infectious laugh, all her tattoos and the stories about them, and to never say goodbye, always see you later.
I love you Aunt Mar, see you later

Mary and I met working at Johns Garage at Woodfield Mall and became instant friends. We were rarely out not wearing our "cool" matching burgundy Johns Garage jackets that we cherished. I will always enjoy the memories from those times as Mary met her future husband Rick and I met my now husband Bill. Rick and Bill also enjoyed a great friendship and we all spent many Halloween and St. Patrick days together, (Mary's favorites), and looked forward to those days every year. We spent many crazy fun Anniversary weekends at the Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva WI. Surprisingly Lake Geneva allowed us back each year.
Mary and Ricks home on Wander Way in Cary was across the street from her favorite place Chris's Coach House and we met there for dinner frequently. Even though the restaurant is long gone , the sign still stands and I think of her and smile every time I pass. We also spent countless summer days sitting out by the River at her other favorite Kief's Reef and always enjoyed the day.
Mary's love of animals and creatures of all shapes and sizes was unmatched. She proved that when she invented the Toad-A-Vator. A gadget to rescue the many toads that were sure to spend eternity in her window wells without her. It was really quite genius.
Mary's love for her daughter's Tiffany and Krista , a.k.a Kissy, was immeasurable. They were always her pride and joy. They were both beautiful and kind children and grew into amazing accomplished adults. Mary would always keep me up to date on their achievements, which were many. Mary also loved telling me all about her wonderful grandchildren who also brought her great joy.
Mary will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget her. And although I am very saddened by her passing, I am also joyful that her and Rick are together again as their relationship was truly special. I am also relieved that all the animals and creatures in heaven will all be spoiled rotten.
Mary was truly one of a kind and I am forever blessed to have been her friend. The world will not be the same without her.
Love Always, rest in peace my dear friend.

I met Mary in high school and we later married and had 2 beautiful daughters, Tiffany and Krista. I have many fond memories of our years together. She was a great mother to our girls and later a great grandmother to her grandchildren. One of her greatest attributes was her innocence toward life. She had a big heart for others and cared about every animal on the planet. I will never forget our 2 bedroom condo with a couple finches and before we knew it, we had an aviary with 21 finches! Soon we had an underwater frog, some fish and 2 Afghan Hound's. That was just a small part of Mary's love for animals! We spent many wonderful years together. She later married the love of her life, Rick, who I will always appreciate for loving her the way he did and being such a great stepdad to our girls. My wife Wendy had the opportunity to meet Mary at Tiffany's wedding and Wendy spoke of how gracious and kind Mary was. I will always remember her as this kind person also with a heart of gold! Fly high with the Angel's Mary and may you rest in peace with Rick and all the animals in Heaven. You will be missed by all whose lives you touched. With love, Scott, Wendy, Peyton and Pace

Have you ever felt unappreciated? Have you ever felt like all your efforts are taken for granted? I know I’ve been down that road a time or two, and until recently when you encouraged me that my labors would pay off and they did. 

You shared with me that regardless of what we decide, one thing is certain… when we are out in the world giving it 110% and feeling like nobody noticed, we was wrong. People are aware of our efforts. People are watching from a distance. People have expressed their appreciation, and are now offering me gratitude I once yearned for. If nothing else, this has served as a life lesson. Be honest, be passionate, and put heart into whoever is around you despite your pain. It won’t go unnoticed. Someday your name will be subliminally stamped on all your past efforts. When the time comes, make sure you’ll be proud to own up to them. I want to thank you for several of the conversations we have had about smiling through the pain and loving despite how the world has treated you. I thank you for the impact you have made in my life and I will forever remember and pay it forward because of you. Mr Harris

I love you Higher than the Highest, Deeper than the Deepest, Further than the Furtherest, Longer that the Longest... I love you Mom always.