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Thank you to you, Cleo, and the wonderful people of
Pass-A-Grille and the St. Petersburg area. You have been a blessing
to my sister, Mary, and her family during the past year. Cleo, I actually
was with Mary and Larry that Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg when
you re-connected several weeks after the New Year's Eve bell ringing.
I was there for a long weekend visit. We were at a sidewalk cafe sitting
in the warmth of the sun and enjoying the time together when she spotted
you. Mary was doing so much better at that time.
During the past year, she and I talked almost everyday
by telephone. Mary always eagerly shared with me experiences with another
'angel' that she had met there. That includes the community folks, the
church folks, and the medical folks that worked so hard with her treatments.
The Gulfcoast Oncology group was such a support for
Mary, Larry, Ashley, Whitney, and Mary Wesley. I was fortunate to meet
a lot of them in my three visits to your beautiful area. One of the
staff there at Gulfcoast Oncology remarked one time that 'every day
is Mother's Day for Mary' because her children call her everyday and
show their love so! That was very true. She and Larry have passed that
value to them and they are living examples of what family love is all
about.
In your tribute to Mary, you speak about her family.
Mary treasured any time her family could be together. Even when the
children were very young, she made sure she came to North Carolina (our
growing up place) from West Virginia (where she and Larry have lived
the past 30+ years and where they raised their remarkable three children)
to spend time with our mother and father and their aunts, uncles, and
cousins. They would drive through snow storms to and from NC to make
sure they shared holiday time with family.
My last visit with Mary is something I will hold very
dear to my heart - always. It was September 11th - 15th. Mary wanted
to go to chuch that Sunday (the 13th) and we did. Larry, Whitney, Mary
and I got to the church for part of the services and Mary got to visit
with her church friends, including you, Cleo, at the fellowship hour
afterwards. It was a special day for me to sit with Mary as we were
holding hands and singing along with your church family.
Also, that week, our mother (now 95 years old) along
with, Barbara, one of Mary's closest friends from High School days,
and our older brother all traveled to Florida to visit. On Monday, September
14th we all went to Gulfcoast Oncology with Mary. That evening thanks
to Mary's friend, Barbara, we had a delicious dinner together at Mary
and Lary's house. At one point, Mary looked around the table and said,
'Look, everyone is here! Everyone!' She smiled so big that night. I
could tell that she was putting forth every ounce of strength she could
to be there together with everyone.
The services last Saturday, October 3rd, in North Carolina
were very comforting for the many friends and family that attended.
Our brother, Eric, conducted the services and did such a wonderful job.
It was a beautiful North Carolina day with clear blue sky, bright warm
sunshine, and a cool breeze. Her group of 13 close high school friends
were there sitting and standing together for Mary. They are a special
group of women who have also supported Mary, Larry, and her family this
year through calls, visits, cheer gifts, and many cards and letters.
One of the most special times was this summer (July
2009) at Myrtle Beach, SC when Mary and Larry (and Winston the dog,
of course) came to their condo in North Myrtle Beach so that Mary could
join in the annual Boyden (our High School) Beach Bunnies summer beach
trip. She had such a great time that week visiting those other 13 long
time friends, remembering good times, and having the warmth and love
of her friends around her!
Thank you again, Pass-A-Grille and Cleo, for welcoming
all of us into your community warmth and for especially showing your
love and care for my special sister. I know she is at peace with God
in heaven and out of the horrible suffering she endured. Mary truely
showed us what courage is all about.
Sincerely,
Frances Faust Barger
(Sister of Mary Garner)
North Myrtle Beach, SC
It was New Year's Eve, 2008 and I decided to walk to the
Paradise Grille on 10th Avenue in Pass-a-Grille to ring the bell for the
new year. When I got there I saw a large group of people around one of
the tables and spotted in the center a woman with a turban wrapped around
her head. It was her eyes that drew me towards her. I asked her, "Would
you like to ring the bell tonight?"
She leaned towards me and very slowly said, "That...would...be...very...appropriate."
I took her arm and led her towards the bell, realizing immediately that
she was very ill. We stood at the bell talking and she told me she had
cancer. I told her, "Oh, well then it is very appropriate for your
to ring this bell. It has magical properties you know. The sun, wind and
stars all send their energy to it so when you ring it, you will benefit."
She smiled in a knowing way.
Her family was with her. Even Mary's mother, who is in her 90's, was there.
It became very apparent very quickly that this woman was loved by many...her
children were always close by to support their mom if she needed their
arm or a glass of water.
I didn't see Mary for several months after that. Then one day I was sitting
in an outdoor cafe and I laughed and I heard a woman's voice say, "Oh,
that's Cleo." I turned and looked right into the bright, open eyes
of Mary who looked like she had fully recovered. It was remarkable. We
talked a little and I encouraged her to keep ringing the bell. We had
a good laugh and then she was gone again from my life.
It was towards the end when we reconnected again. Mary wanted to come
to my 71st birthday party, and she did. As the music rolled over us and
out into the Gulf, I couldn't contain my dancing so I went up to Mary
who was in a wheelchair, barely able to talk, and took her hands. I "danced"
in front of her for a moment and then she said, "I...want...to...stand...up."
Immediately everyone gathered around and held her up and she started swaying
to the music as we held hands. It was a wonderful moment. But magic was
truly in the air. Larry walked over, gathered his lovely wife into his
arms, and the two of them danced their last dance together. It was a moment
that none present will ever forget and I feel blessed to have been part
of such a special moment.
That was on Tuesday, September 22nd. By Sunday she had passed, but not
without a smile on her face and the warmth of her whole family radiating
into her and the world. Thank you God for Mary's life. May we carry her
sweet spirit into our lives and share it with all.
Cleo Robertson, Pass-a-Grille Friend
Please send in your memories of
Mary by emailing it to memories@stpetebeachtoday.com
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