Saturday, July 22, 2023
My memories of Aunt Mary are lifelong. She was my Dad's sister and I always wanted to be just like her. She taught me to swim - although I never developed the beautiful crawl stroke she had! She was a pied piper to me. Everything she did, I wanted to do.
Mary was only 15 years older than me, so she was around to take me to the park, or babysit me, or teach me somersaults. When I was 15, I babysat Mary's oldest child, doing what she had done for me!
My husband was even in Mary & Joe's wedding - he lead the children down the aisle, & there wasn't a dry eye in the church after that! After I was married, my husband, Harlow was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy yard, so we lived quite close to Mary & Joe & their amazing family and we spent many weekends at their home in Stamford. There was never a dull moment & Mary was always the leader of the pack. There were picnics, dinners, BBQ's, tennis matches, kids activities, swimming & amazing family get-togethers.
I don't remember an unpleasant moment in all of our gatherings. Over the years, as my husband & I & kids moved all over the place, we talked on the phone at least once a month. She & Joe & the kids have all visited us in our various locations. What an amazing family, amazing woman and amazing friend.
I can't tell you how much I have missed her in the week she has been gone. It's just so sad.
