This memorial website was created for our beautiful daughter Mary Riker who was born in Michigan on July 14, 1999 with her twin brother Josh. Mary passed away at the age of 17. She had Viral Myocarditis. A virus in her heart that resulted in congestive heart failure.
Mary died at 9:15 pm the night of November 15th and our lives changed forever. Now all we have left are pictures & memories. Memories of a strong, sometimes shy, sensitive, sweet, sassy (occasionally snarky) teenage girl.
I'm grateful I got to be her Mom. I'm grateful that I treasured every minute with her as a baby, toddler, little girl, teenager and young woman. As a teenager she gave me a few gray hairs! I'd give anything to have the stress of caring for my teenage daughter and all the drama that goes with it.
Mary loved fiercely. She loved her friends, she loved her boyfriend, her teachers, her co-workers. she loved her family. And we all feel a void with her absence. Life will never be the same.
We take a step forward and then another. We live the life she never got to live. And we make her proud of us. One day, Mary, we'll see you again. Now and forever our baby you'll be.
The week before Mary died, Brian and I each took her to the doctor. Brian for her cough, me for her sciatica (She had back pain). Mary was 12 weeks pregnant with our Grandson when she died. I was relieved Mary had a doctor's appt on Wed Nov 16th because I was worried about her. Her cough seemed better, but she seemed short of breath. When I told her that, she said she was fine and I shouldn't worry.
Tuesday morning I left for work and told Josh & Mary as I always did that I loved them. I distinctly remember hearing Mary say "I love you too Mom." That was the last time I heard her voice.
Mary worked at Chili's that night. Around 8:15 They called to tell me Mary had passed out, the paramedics were there and I should come. I left the house thinking she had just fainted and I'd take her to the hospital just to be safe. When I got there, I realized things were much worse than I anticipated. Much worse. The EMT's were doing chest compressions.
I remember frantically calling Brian, I remember the car ride to the hospital, I remember Brian & I getting to the hospital before the ambulance and the horrible wait for them to arrive with her. I remember calling my family and telling them to come.
At first we waited outside the room. I couldn't sit. I kneeled at my chair and prayed to God to give her a pulse. I must have prayed those words 100 times.
They let Brian and I inside the room, and I held Mary's hand while they tried to save her life. I think I knew she was gone. Because my prayers changed to "please God give her back to me."
Mary died at 9:15 pm on November 15, 2016 and our lives changed forever. Now all we have left are pictures & memories.
We miss you so much honey. Life just isnt the same without you.
Three times a year (Christmas, Easter and Mary's Birthday in July) we collect items for the Women's Shelter & Bashor Children's Home. Christmas we collect presents. Easter we collect new and used toys and games. In July we collect back to school items for Bashor and practical items for the women's shelter (towels, blankets, baby items). We want to keep Mary's memory alive. She'd be so happy to know we are helping children and maybe making a difference in their lives. We call it Mary's Gift.
