A force of nature.
When I first met Mary, she was guarded and tough. She was like a force of nature and exuded an air of “don’t f*** with me.” Everyone, everyone respected Mary and was maybe a little afraid of her.
I will never forget my first conversation with Mary. She asked me some questions, and I gave her a joking response. She did not laugh. She looked me in the eye, stared for a few seconds, and dismissed me with, “Smart-ass.”
During her many years at Urban Hope, she learned to trust people, and our kindness and unconditional love gradually wore her down. Over time, it softened her heart.
Her humour and kindness grew, and by the time I left Urban Hope, she had become a hugger.
Mary has led a colourful life. Someone should write a book about her. She has so many great stories about her past and her life with her husband, Howard.
She maintains her dual Canadian/U.S. citizenship and also has many stories about her time serving with the U.S. Marines in Florida. She had some dramatic experiences as the U.S. Marines’ first female sniper, like the time in Sarajevo when she risked a court-martial trying to force her unit to save some women and children. She often placed the needs of others ahead of her own.
Original artwork, 5 × 7″ greeting cards and archival prints are available. Contact me for details.
50% of net profits are donated to Urban Hope.