Sunday, June 15  / Cathy Gregory (consultant/Colleague)
In the warm Seattle sunshine, our family celebrated the graduation of my daughter-in-law as she received her doctorate from Seattle U. Shortly thereafter, I heard the name of Rafe called as he received his Master's degree. I could feel the overwhelming presence of one very proud mother as he walked the stage. Way to go Rafe....Your mom was so proud of everything you were doing. It was a pleasure to be at your graduation. Close

Mary was like a Mother to us  / Melissa Engels (friend/co-worker)

I had the pleasure of working with Mary for the last 7yrs at Harcourt and she was like a mother to many of us. She uplifted us and praised us but also kept us humble and reminded us to stretch when we needed to be held accountable. After my own Mom passed several years ago Mary would also say I'm not your Mom but...and share some thoughts on the matter--work or otherwise. Mary--I will miss our chats and know that you live on in all of us that you have touched!

Those of us that have worked with Mary felt that we knew her family as she loved to tell with pride about her family & their activities. Our prayers are with all of her family & friends in this difficult time.

" A wonderful Mother is a gift from God. She delights in your happiness, encourages your dreams, prays for you , and always sees the best in you.  She loves you, no matter what."

With much love,

Melissa(Engels)

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Thanks to Mary!  / Cindy Hager (friend and colleague )
I was privileged to have my life's path crossed by Mary many times in the years we worked together with Brown Roa, then Harcourt Religion Publishers. She always had a marketing suggestion to help me sell a product in my international markets; she always had sales recommendation to help me serve a customer.

Her smile was bright and knowing and that's what is living on in my heart as I think of her. I feel blessed to have known her.
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the biggest smile  / Michael Cymbala (fellow exhibitor )
Mary had the biggest smile in the whole exhibit hall! The smile was Mary's exterior, and inside dwelt a true and unconditional friend. I will miss her. Close

R.E. Director, Camden Diocese, NJ  / Elizabeth Field (Harcourt Friend & Per Diem Employee )

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Mary McCullough, and to her Houghtin Mifflin Harcourt Religion Publishers family!

I am still in a state of disbelief that Mary is no longer on this earth - in the flesh - with us.  I do believe that Mary is, however, very present in the spirit to her family and friends, assisting in whatever ways she can.

I first met Mary as a DRE in Omaha, NE.  She was the regional representative who offered me a very caring presence, and very knowledgeable assistance. 

Mary's energy and enthusiasm over the catechetical ministry was always evident.  Whenever I met Mary at a National Conference, I loved being greeting by he with her genuine spirit of hospitality and readiness to service.  

I will greatly miss Mary as a friend and colleague!  I will miss her warmth and energy for the catechetical ministry.  I will miss her as one who modeled the Christian way of discipleship so well! 

Mary will long live in my heart, and in my memories.  I feel very grateful and blessed for having known Mary!

 

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Condolence from HIEG  / Joan Lucas (colleague)

Mary was a wonderful friend to all the Harcourt International Education group in the years that we worked with her.  She always had the time and the energy to share her knowledge to help us better serve our international customers.

Her faith and her dedication served as a bright and shining light to all of us and her presence and her ready smile will be sadly missed.

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true and constant friend  / Jim Corr (friend, colleague, co-worker )
Mary was a true and constant friend, always interested in you and those you cared about. She was tireless in her work for Harcourt but had time to be with you when visiting even for business. As others have said, she called forth your talents and challenged you to use them better. She will be greatly missed. Close

Prayers from New England  / Sr.Paula Robillard (Colleague)

As president of the New England Direcotrs of Relgious Education , I know I speak for all of my colleagues in express our profound sadness at the untimely death of Mary.

 

Her wonderful smile and gentle manner made working with her a pleasure.  To all of you at Harcourt Religion, her family and friends , we extend our heratfelt sympathy and promise of prayers.  God's peace be will all of you.

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A great person.  / Debra Thomas (Travel Consultant )

I've been with BCD Travel of over 6 yrs. And whenever I got Marfy on the phone it was always a pleasure. She was funny and outgoing. She will always stop by the 8th Fl to visit travel. We will miss you. My prays are with your family.

 

Debra.

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Well done good and faithful servant.  / Jo David (friend & co-worker )
Mary always spoke so glowingly of her family….especially those grandbabies. Please know that in the Pacific Northwest we are grieving with you and will cherish all the great memories of your wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and confidant….

To Mary…as part of your Harcourt family…you were always an Easter Catholic! Full of joy, loyal, hardworking, and just plain fun, we know that you are alive in Christ and the promise of the Resurrection. And now you are wiser than all of us….we will be needing you to intercede for us. Bless you.
Jo Close

Per diem employee for Harcourt Religion Publisher  / Susan Kachel (Per diem employee )
I send my sympathy and prayers to the family of Mary.  I spoke with her on the phone many times.  I was privileged to met her at the January sales meeting in Orlando.  I was very impressed my her energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness.  I am sure she will be greatly missed by many.  Close

Director of Faith Formation  / Mary Ann Ronan (President of NCCL )
Mary had a gift of treating all like they were "holy ground".  I know I am a better person for knowing her.  She was peace for others and now she is has peace to the fullest.  Amen. Alleluia. Close

What would Mary do?  / Lauretta Santarossa (Publishing colleague )
My Novalis colleague Grace Deutsch and I met Mary only twice, first at the When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference in January of this year and then again at the LA Congress. We are thoroughly saddened and heart-broken that she left us so suddenly. From our first introductions and meeting in Orlando, it was obvious we were in the presence of a "force majeur" with a mind (and wardrobe!) to match. We hoped we would be working with her in the future and joked about praying that she would find us worthy. She was obviously a master at her craft, so much so that we would tease each other with "What would Mary do/say?" Then two weeks ago we got a call from Mary, ready to start a working relationship between Harcourt and Novalis and, as Grace put it so well " I must admit I was really rather looking forward to working with her...promised to be a challenge ...she was so good at what she did...I rather felt we were in for an exciting time...and of course, the wardrobe details were important, esp to those of us, meaning me, of a certain age...Now, I think I'll raise a glass to life obviously lived with purpose...and what more is there?" Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who loved and worked with Mary, especially her beloved family and Harcourt colleagues. May the memory of Mary, live in our hearts forever. Close

Wonderful Employer  / Holly McNellis
I only worked for Mary for a brief time; however the time we did have together was wonderful. She was such an energetic, kind woman. Her family will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Close

A Blessing to Us  / Sheree Brown (author/ artist )
It is the warmth and calm enthusiasm that I will remember about Mary. She had a gift and a way of being very clear, kind, and decisive in making suggestions. She was one of the first people from the Harcourt family that my husband, Douglass Johnson, Sr. and I met when we were presenting our book, Zhakanaka, the Word and we were always happy when we were able to work with her. We are truly blessed that our paths crossed. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mary's family.  Close

Mary had a presence  / Tom East (Colleague)
I was privileged to know Mary McCullough through the partnership between the Center for Ministry Development and Harcourt Religion Publishers.  I was always struck by Mary's presence, she commanded your attention when she walked into a room.  It was part of her style of gracious and insightful leadership in Religious Education.  On behalf of CMD, I want to offer our sincere condolences to Mary's family, co-workers and friends at this time of loss.  Mary will be missed by all. 

In Christ's peace,

Tom East
Director
Center for Ministry Development Close

Sincere Condolences  / Deidre Stone

Even though I never met Mary, I was in contact with her over the phone and email. She had such a wonderful attitude. I had just begun dealing with Harcourt last year, and she was so friendly and went out of her way to make sure that you were looked after. She made you feel special, even though you were one of the hundreds she dealt with.

To all her family, please accept my condolances, along with those of our pastor, catechists and all the families of our parish. May Mary rest in peace. May the Lord bless you and keep you in his arms as you go through this tough time.   Deidre

 

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A smile and....  / Ed Gordon (friend)

Mary always had a smile for everyone and a gentle word.  Whenever a problem came up, Mary would always say, "I'll take care of that and get back to you."  She always did.  I will miss her.  Prayers for her family, friends and colleagues at Harcourt and in the publishing ministry.

Ed

 

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Mary "Ann"  / Mark Nuehring (co-worker in theVineyard )

 I have known Mary for about 15 of her 17 years with the HMHRP. We initially met when she was my sales rep for my parish in Des Moines. Over the years, our friendship grew as I began calling her Mary Ann. I don't know why I started calling her Mary Ann, but I did. About five years ago, she gently corrected me, as only Mary could do, by asking me to refrain from calling her Mary Ann since only her mother called her Mary Ann and that was only when she was in trouble.

I apologized and our relationship went on. A month ago, during the NCCL convention we re-connected, as we typically did at this annual event, and for some reason Mary shared this inside story with a colleague of her's at the Harcourt booth. Then, about a day or two later, Matt Summers, Mary and I were standing outside the hotel to leave, and she said, "Since you've known my middle name all these years, would you share yours?"  I finally gave in!

I will miss the fun banter we had about this personal faux pas!

As I was sharing this story with a friend recently, I accidentally called Mary, "Mary Harcourt"... I think she'll enjoy holding that faux pas over my head in heavan!

I will miss her!

Mark Nuehring

Diocesan Director of Faith Formation

Diocese of Winona, MN.

 

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A warm smile and great welcome  / Rosie Bartel
Mary was one of the first people to welcome me to my position as Religious Education Director in the Diocese of Green Bay.  She always gave you a warm smile and made sure you were truly welcomed.  She called you by name not by position or place.  I wll miss her truly caring nature and her real support in all our ministries.    Close