Mary and I went to the same college in St. Louis, MO-Fontbonne College, a women's college (at least for the '70-'72 yrs we were there). We lived in a dorm that housed nuns on the floor below us-that did not stop our noise in the least! Mary was a riot, she and some other residents took over the "Dorm Elevator" during Parent's Week End because (remember it was the '70s and we were across from Washington Univ) a group of black students took over the Library that same weekend. There were 2 lawn chairs in the elevator for the weekend and we all had shifts. Now this was a really big deal because some of the nuns were "old, very old" and they had to walk up the steps that day. None of us, of course, wanted to go to the library.
She was also a constant partner in the group walks to the local Azars at midnight in our pajamas. The staff got real used to us having our study groups there in the middle of the night in pj's. We did get a few looks from others though.
In these short years in college, the most memorable experience for me involving Mary was the night she came "searching" for me...and Thank God she did-she said that she had a "feeling" she had to come find me. I had friends at St. Louis Univ. that I would visit (borrowing a friend's car). We all got into some drugs. Mary did a daily check on me (little did I know until later). One night at SLU playing pool, 2 foreign strangers came to me and asked me to come with them.....OK--Freak-Out meter began to rise. They returned and brought with them Mary's Driver's License....Freak-Out meter was at 8 now. They asked me to come with them again. With all my friends huddled around me as we walked around the corner-THERE was Mary and our friend Kate. We just hugged and hugged, she asked if this was enough to make me stop. I told her YES!! That night we had "the flush of the drugs" and I really feel Mary saved my life. I laugh and cry every time I tell this story. Mostly though, I love Mary.
That was not the end of our friendship ...TO BE CONTINUED!
Fast forward 25 or so years..... I was working for "City Clock" when it was at 56th and 'O' Street. Mary would pop in once in awhile. This particular time (winter), she asked if I was there, I came out, she looked serious, "What's wrong"? She told me to sit down. I was very apprehensive. Mary did a little dance and opened her coat continuing to dance about. "Look--I've got a bun in the oven". Her youngest son was about 22. Oh My Gawd we just hugged and danced together.
Eventually we calmed down and came to our senses. We were remembering the births of her 2 sons and me visiting soon after each delivery---she always looked perfect, nothing like someone who had "heeed and hawed and blew and sucked in breath" less than an hour ago. She talked about how maybe she's really ready to be a mother now and was so positive. We talked several times in the months before the birth.
Again, less than an hour after delivery I visited and she looked perfect (how did she do that?) and seemed so relaxed. She got pretty busy, City Clock moved to 70th and Pioneer Blvd, it had been 6-7 months until we visited. "Man, having kids now is so easy. Cars are made so you can easily get the carseat in, so many things are so much better". "And, Mary, how are you doing"?, I asked. "I'm great..I feel great...It's so easy"!, she responded.
The next time I saw her I was driving down 40th, near their house, and saw her pushing a baby carriage (or whatever you call them). I honked, pulled over and walked over to her. "So how are things these days with that adorable baby"?. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "I'm so tired, I'm not as young as I was the first 2 times around.........I'm exhausted, but look at that smile.... that's what gives me my energy to do anything"! She still looked perfect!
My health turned bad soon after and I didn't get out much. I have such warm and hilarious memories of Mary. Upon occasion, I hear her whisper and feel her touch.....I'll bet she still looks perfect!
Carol Knight
Mary and I went to the same college in St. Louis, MO-Fontbonne College, a women's college (at least for the '70-'72 yrs we were there). We lived in a dorm that housed nuns on the floor below us-that did not stop our noise in the least! Mary was a riot, she and some other residents took over the "Dorm Elevator" during Parent's Week End because (remember it was the '70s and we were across from Washington Univ) a group of black students took over the Library that same weekend.There were 2 lawn chairs in the elevator for the weekend and we all had shifts. Now this was a really big deal because some of the nuns were "old, very old" and they had to walk up the steps that day. None of us, of course, wanted to go to the library.
She was also a constant partner in the group walks to the local Azars at midnight in our pajamas. The staff got real used to us having our study groups there in the middle of the night in pj's. We did get a few looks from others though.
In these short years in college, the most memorable experience for me involving Mary was the night she came "searching" for me...and Thank God she did-she said that she had a "feeling" she had to come find me. I had friends at St. Louis Univ. that I would visit (borrowing a friend's car). We all got into some drugs. Mary did a daily check on me (little did I know until later). One night at SLU playing pool, 2 foreign strangers came to me and asked me to come with them.....OK--Freak-Out meter began to rise. They returned and brought with them Mary's Driver's License....Freak-Out meter was at 8 now. They asked me to come with them again. With all my friends huddled around me as we walked around the corner-THERE was Mary and our friend Kate. We just hugged and hugged, she asked if this was enough to make me stop. I told her YES!! That night we had "the flush of the drugs" and I really feel Mary saved my life. I laugh and cry every time I tell this story. Mostly though, I love Mary.
That was not the end of our friendship ...TO BE CONTINUED!
Carol Knight
Carol Knight
Now, to continue.........
Fast forward 25 or so years..... I was working for "City Clock" when it was at 56th and 'O' Street. Mary would pop in once in awhile. This particular time (winter), she asked if I was there, I came out, she looked serious, "What's wrong"? She told me to sit down. I was very apprehensive. Mary did a little dance and opened her coat continuing to dance about. "Look--I've got a bun in the oven". Her youngest son was about 22. Oh My Gawd we just hugged and danced together.
Eventually we calmed down and came to our senses. We were remembering the births of her 2 sons and me visiting soon after each delivery---she always looked perfect, nothing like someone who had "heeed and hawed and blew and sucked in breath" less than an hour ago. She talked about how maybe she's really ready to be a mother now and was so positive. We talked several times in the months before the birth.
Again, less than an hour after delivery I visited and she looked perfect (how did she do that?) and seemed so relaxed. She got pretty busy, City Clock moved to 70th and Pioneer Blvd, it had been 6-7 months until we visited. "Man, having kids now is so easy. Cars are made so you can easily get the carseat in, so many things are so much better". "And, Mary, how are you doing"?, I asked. "I'm great..I feel great...It's so easy"!, she responded.
The next time I saw her I was driving down 40th, near their house, and saw her pushing a baby carriage (or whatever you call them). I honked, pulled over and walked over to her. "So how are things these days with that adorable baby"?. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "I'm so tired, I'm not as young as I was the first 2 times around.........I'm exhausted, but look at that smile.... that's what gives me my energy to do anything"! She still looked perfect!
My health turned bad soon after and I didn't get out much. I have such warm and hilarious memories of Mary. Upon occasion, I hear her whisper and feel her touch.....I'll bet she still looks perfect!