This incredible woman, by the time she passed away at 89 years of age, had left behind one hell of a family, a legacy, lots of lessons, funny as well as sad stories and the effervesence of life itself.  When Mary was "in da house" the woman was in charge, no questions asked.  Her favourite saying was:  "I'm perfect.  What's YOUR problem?"

She had 6 brothers, 2 husbands, (the first, Walter Martin, died of TB 10 years after their marriage), 5 birth children, 5 step-children, 22 foster children, 17 grandchildren (including step-granchildren) and 6 great-granchildren.  I am the fifth oldest blood-line grandchild, not including the step-grandchildren.

Your Dark Coronet

The dance is almost over, Mary.
The band master is calling
the last number;
soft, dramy music, lulling
you to sleep.

Your dress stunned
the other dancers;
silk and organza brushing
the floor, leaving
shades of every hue in it's wake.
Your shoes withstood
the test, tiny straps
wrapping delicate ankles,
pinching sometimes
but always ready
for one more round.
Your dance card
was full, Mary, frogs and princes
turn-a-bout.

Lately,
you seemed pleased
to chance a slower pace,
to glance about to see
the lights, the flowers
on your shoulder,
to listen to the whisper of feet
passing in three-quarter time.

I've noticed
your dark coronet
is spread with bits
of silver stardust
and rests in curls
about your softened face.

It is over much too soon, Mary.
We thought it would go on forever.
I do not want to take you home.
I want to keep you here
to awe the others,
to show them a style and grace
they can never have.
They never thought
you could dance so well, or so long.