The O'Neal Genealogy Association Newsletter

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TOGA NEWS Volume III, Issue 8, August, 2003

Mary had an excellent eye for antiques and collectibles…she was generous and helpful in sharing this knowledge too.  Both her friends, Kay Alexander and Cindy Schonlaw, told me how much she taught them about finding the good stuff.  Mary always made sure Cindy had the latest Covell antique guide for her garage sale ventures.

I think we all get a twinkle in our eyes when we think of Mary and her old blue Mercedes.  It was a 1965 and had only 80,000 miles on it when she recently donated it to the Cat Care Society.  I was told she even took that car to Brazil with her.

These were her passions…but there was much more to Mary than all that.  She was a very wise woman with a curious mind.  She was very alert to what was going on in her community and genuinely cared.  .  To quote Jo Barber, she could be wickedly witty and could really skewer people she thought were pompous.  We all know she had a tough exterior but a tender and warm heart

Marge Arnold, a former neighbor, told me how she was particularly fond of and nice to both of her kids.  When Marge’s son, Mark, returned home and was terminally ill, Mary would hang out with him and the two would drink scotch and smoke cigarettes.  Marge said to me “I’m sure she’s up in heaven right now having a scotch and water with my son…I think the first thing she asked for when she got there was a cigarette!”

Mary was so appreciative of the help and support she received from all of her friends and neighbors during her illnesses, especially her neighbor, Morie Kiusalas.  Morie helped Mary extensively during her hospitalizations and afterword.  They shared many late-night telephone conversations and Morie filled a needed and important role for Mary as her “cranky niece”.

And last, but not least, you can’t remember Mary without speaking of her love for cats…her own and all those that are homeless or abused and in need.  She leaves an extraordinary legacy to the Cat Care Society.  Her cats, Hartley and old Maggie are there now in their caring hands.  I think that while she’s having those scotches and cigarettes in heaven, she’s surrounded by Otis and all the cats in her life who came before him.

Reprinted with Permission of Shelley Devitt