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

With Faith  / John Burland (Friend/Colleague)
Mary, thank you for making such a difference in my life and sharing your friendship, faith, energy, vision and compassion so selflessly. Your love and support for the people around you was an inspiration to us all.  I am a better person for meeting you and for being able to have walked the journey with you.  I will miss you greatly but have much comfort knowing that you are in God’s loving arms.

And it’s with Faith we can go on
For it is Faith that keeps us strong
For we believe your journey now has come to rest
And in God’s arms you’ll be embraced
For you have journeyed to the place
Where peace is found and love abounds for all eternity
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A solution for everything  / Brian Merry (former colleague )
Mary had a solution for every problem, conflict or confrontation. She always greeted them all with her smile. Her smile said it all for those who knew her. I imagine she is smiling in heaven now. Close

Religious Education Coordinator Victoria Diocese  / Jim O'Reilly (Colleague)
We will always remember Mary for her vitality, her generosity, and genuine interest and concern.  You knew her work was her life's work. Our lives were certainly enriched for having known her.  Condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.  Be assured of our prayers at this time. Close

Executive Director, RE Dept. NCEA  / Diana Dudoit Raiche (Colleague)

Mary showed such love and respect to everyone, going out of her way to greet colleagues that she saw periodically. Catechetical leaders will truly miss her joyful spirit. Condolences to her family and friends; may she rest in peace.

  

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Farewell, Mary  / Ann Pinckney (colleague)
What a wonderful and gracious lady. Mary will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. May she rest in God's loving arms. Close

Religious Education Coordinator, ICS -Victoria, BC  / Gwen Jahelka (colleague)
Mary was always so upbeat and positive.  It was a pleasure to work with her as we explored the resources of Harcourt Religion.  She gave me great advice on traveling to Disneyworld with my family, too!  She will truly be missed.  My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all her family and her family at Harcourt.  May God grant you peace and comfort during this most difficult time. Close

A class act  / Joanie McKeown (colleague)
Mary truly knew the meaning of the words "ministry" and "hospitality".  Her deep love and understanding of this ministry of catechesis and her desire to assist us in our ministry were so apparent.  She could always be counted on to tell a good story, share a good laugh, or offer support when we were weary.  My condolences to her personal family and her Harcourt family. Close

DRE Archdiocese of Vancouver BC  / CHUCK Luttrell (friend)

In a business sense Mary walked the talk - but as a friend I knew she also walked the talk in her family and faith life.

 

She was one of a kind!  As the director of Religious Ed for the Archdiocese - I offer the prayers of the numerous Vancouver friends she gained over a short time.  She looked out for us in ways that one would have thought we were Harcourt's biggest customer.

To her husband, children and grandchildren be assured that we know you well as Mary always spoke in glowing terms of you..

When I think of Mary I think of the wonderful little saying "Affirmation is the greatest gift God's has given us - that is the power to affirm another in their goodness". 

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Mary is one of my many Angels  / Scott Martin (Technical Support )
I have met many people in my travels and experiences, but I have yet to meet a woman like Mary. She always had a special way about her that gave my heart a certain peace. I would like to remember her by posting an Irish prayer that has been passed down through my family, and now will be passed on to hers.

Farewell Mary, until we meet again...

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.

Your Friend,
Scott Martin Close

The peace you gave is yours now.  / Mary Beth Coates (Diocese of Buffalo colleague )

Mary gave me a tremendous gift - her time.  Our conversations always 'cut to the chase' and there was no way I could shy away from acknowledging my truth, she wouldn't let me.  Be at peace now, my friend, you have been a good and faithful servant, I rejoice for you for you are now with our God.

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Principal, Santo Niño Regional Catholic School  / Sister Phyllis Stowell (professional)

What a friend we had with Mary!  Every time Mary came to visit our school or just drop by to say hello, she brought sunshine and energy with her along with the latest and greatest in books.  Mary was more than a sales rep. I felt she was someone who truly had our school's interest at heart.

I will miss Mary and her enthusiasm for life!  I am sure that her family whom she loved so very much will keep alive her spirit of generosity, hospitality and humor.

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So Long to a Good Friend and co-worker  / Jessie Rhoden (co worker )

First my deepest condolences to the McCullough family, I will keep you all in my prayers.

What can I say about Mary that has not been said before!  A wonder person with a great quest for life.  I worked with Mary for several years and we always communicated via the telephone.  If my phone rang at 7:45 a.m. I knew it was Mary calling first to discuss busines than to just shot the breeze.  How I'll miss Mary and those early morning phone calls.  Mary's passing will definitely leave a void in my life.  God bless you Mary.

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Mary looked us in the eyes  / Leisa Anslinger (friend, colleague )

With Mary, one always knew exactly where one stood, and we could be certain that Mary would talk straight. That was a gift for so many, I am sure, as it was for me. She looked us in the eyes, told us what she thought, and helped us to consider possibilities. She also had a way of drawing folks in with something that seemed quite do-able, and then let us flourish in our own way over time. Her steady and strong presence will be so missed!

 

Leisa

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Everyone can be successful  / Theresa Sinclair (Friend)

Mary was a fierce competitor and a team player who put nothing ahead of family and friends.  She was a supportive colleague who wanted the whole compnay to be successful.  When I first started at Brown-Roa, Mary was a well seasoned rep. She often called early in the morning, despite the 2 hour time difference, to check on me.  She wanted all of us to be successful and was thrilled when we tied and were both honored as top producing reps.  There was room for everyone at the top.  

She gleamed with pride as she shared her family's personal, professional and artistic accomplishments.  I often dream that Kevin and I will follow in her footsteps and have as beautiful marriage and family as she has with Mike.

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A Special Page for Mary  / Rhonda Parenton (Colleague in Ministry )

Thursday was quite a day for us in Baton Rouge, I was excited and was anticipating a gathering where Mike Carotta and AnnaLuisa were going to be with our DREs and Youth Ministers. AnnaLuisa greeted me and shared the news of Mary's death. Mike closed our day with a beautiful prayer celebration dedicated to Mary and it was so appropriate. Some of us knew her first hand while others shared our grief for the loss of a great friend.

Mike talked to us about having our own "memory book" tucked in our heads and hearts, Mary will certainly have a special page in mine. Anyone who met Mary became her friend and she greeted you with such joy that you knew you were a friend she valued. It was always such great fun to see her and talk with her. Just as throughout the day on Thursday, there will be times in the future when Mary's page will open in our memory books; we will always remember her as friend and say a prayer of thanksgiving for being blessed to know her. My prayers are with Mary's family and with the Harcourt Religion family as well.

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Always had time for everyone  / Leland Nagel (Colleague)

Mary was an amazing woman - full of life and always ministering. She always had time for anyone. One DRE told me about a time when most exhibitors were tearing down, Mary stopped and gave her twenty minutes of undivided attention. I know this was not unusual.

Just this morning I heard from someone who was looking forward to meeting Mary for the first time. These are her words:

I never met Mary personally but I talked with her a number of times as we were getting ready to host her and Barbara Sutton. Mary was anxious to come to the Gallup Diocese because she ministered here at one time and wanted to visit some of the places and people she knew. When Barbara called to tell me of Mary's sudden trip to heaven, there was silence on both ends of the line. I feel cheated for not having met her face to face. Tuesday, May 5th when we gather without her, there will be a candle burning at the table in her memory. Mary was an educator to the end. This experience will offer me a wonderful meditation on death for a long time to come.

She will be missed. Her spirit (breath) will continue in many. Hers was a life of service and somehow that keeps beiong passed on and on and on. May the angels guide her.

On behalf of the entire NCCL membership we extend our sympathy and prayers for peace to her family and her colleagues.

Lee Nagel, NCCL Executive Director

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Director of Faith Formation  / Sister Phyllis Kernz, SSND (collegue and friend )

I remeber Mary with warm feelings.  I met her as an Houghton Mifflin representative when I was a DRE in MN and IA.  She was always so friendly and interested in the ministry and in people.  She was very helpful to me and many others.

Then last summer I happened to stop at the rest area in Iowa.  And who did I meet but Mary.  She knew me right away and we had a nice chat.  Then she introduced her husband to me.  She looked so relaxed and happy as she always did.

She is a saint for sure! 

I was deeply saddened by news of her sudden death.  I can imagine int was even more so for her family.  My deepest sympathies to all of you!

My prayers and support in Spirit is with each of the family members.

In Christ Jesus,

Sister Phyllis Kernz, SSND

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I'll buy you a cup of coffee.  / Mike Raffio (Colleague/competitor-/friend)

Many years ago at the LA Congress, Mary and I were in line for coffee and started talking. When it was her turn, she said "I'll buy you a cup of coffee."  That started what would become for us a ritual at all the major events we both attended.  Whenever we ran into each other, Mary would say, "Whose turn is it to buy the coffee."  

Over the years, we shared a lot of coffee and, sometimes, other refreshments.  Mary liked to talk and she loved to talk about her family. Through her, I came to know something about them, though we had never met, and I know how much she loved them.

Once last year, while we were delayed at an airport somewhere, she talked about her vacation and looking forward to retirement.  She told me that she was going to write a book about her life on the road and in the religious publishing industry.  I said that I'd buy a copy and read it with my cup of coffee.

We'll miss you, Mary.

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Both hands  / Mike Carotta (friend)

Mary always held us with both hands.

And we loved it.

Counted on it.

Believed in it.

With one hand she would always nudge you past your comfort zone. And with the the other she would always hold on to you and listen to your lamentations, your fears, your insecurities- most of which you didn't even have to flat out verbalize.  She heard it with her heart.

And you knew it.

Loved it.

Counted on it.

Believed in it. 

Thanked God for it.

Will never forget it.

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