My heart is sad upon learning of Mary's passing.  My head, however, is full of happy memories.  As we all know, there was and will always be only "One Mary"  She and I spoke frequently on the phone since she no longer lived in Belleville.  Never knew where she would be sharing her love and support to all of her family. 

You all know her as Mom and Mimi but I enjoyed her since we were pre-teens. 
Growing up in the 50's enjoying the simple life was not all that bad.  We had good friends, good times and caring parents who always had the door open for our friends. (Mary did give George and especially Gertie a fit on occassion).
Gertie's favorite backlash was "Mary you will get paybacks someday".  Don't think her girls ever fulfilled Gertie's prediction-Mary was so very proud of you all.

Mary didn't need a bucket list. As she and I said more than once, when we are living and being there for our family-who needs a list?

So glad Mary was part of my life and fond memories.  Please know my thoughts and prayers are with all who will miss her deeply. 

























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Juniors in high school @ Union School gym (1957)

1953 @ Belleville Jr. High School

Mary in friend's backyard (1954)

1954 Field Day @ Jefferson School

My best memories of Marybeth took place in Crosby when our girls were little.  We spent our days volunteering at school (or as our friend,Jenny says, begging for Jesus.). She made me laugh when she would admit that the phone bill had arrived in the mail.  It was enormous because she talked to her whole family all the time.  She knew Guy would have a fit when he saw it so Mary would drive around the neighborhood until she saw his truck, then she would throw the bill on the front seat and leave.  Guy loved Mary the way that Louis loved me and I miss all three of them.

While we were with Mom in her final days, we received such wonderful emails, texts and stories.  We cherished each and everyone and would like to save them.  Please take a moment and share a favorite memory, moment or story.  It helps us remember and also learn funny, wonderful things also.

I will come back and fill these memories in as I can, but I want to highlight moments such as late night crabbing trips, bicycle rides around dead man's curve, "Hit the Deck", late, late night shopping on Christmas Eve, "Do you want to buy a typwriter?", Lily White parties with the floating candle and candy pelting you and your friends from above, a million slumber parties, a thousand games where we dragged her into yet another little town no one ever heard of in the searing heat or freezing cold to cheer on each grandchild at football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, softball, and waterpolo.

I will continue to decorate my Christmas trees with hand made ornaments and family photos as she did.  I will keep her lesson of loving unconditionally close to my heart.  I will always be thankful to Mimi for getting my kids snuggled in her bed, comforting them and helping them believe everything was going to be okay when I was battling cancer.  

I smile as I remember that my friends that she met quickly became Mimi's friends too!  and their kids acquired a Mimi as well!

I love you mom and I will miss you forever!